DUDLEY MP Ian Austin is urging community groups to apply for funding from two new schemes.

The new £1.5 million Postcode Local Trust - funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery - has opened a new round of applications for environmental projects and borough groups have until 5pm on Friday September 30 to apply by visiting www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk.

Insurance firm Aviva has also launched a Community Fund that can award up to £25,000 for community projects which support the elderly, health and wellbeing and community sport.

Information on how to apply is available at http://www.aviva.co.uk/good-thinking/community-fund/ Mr Austin has written to a number of community groups in Dudley to make them aware of the opportunities, offering to support local bids for funding, and he said: “Working with local groups we’ve managed to get funding for local sports clubs, schools and parks.

“Applying for one of these funds could help get a new project off the ground, so I’m ready to throw my support behind and local groups interested in making a bid.”