COMMUNITY groups with bright ideas can now access grants from a £24,000 treasure chest.
ESB West Durham Wind Farm, in Tow Law, have opened their fund up to new applications.
Local organisations are invited to apply through County Durham Community Foundation, which manages the money, aimed at projects that cover one or more of the following themes: education and skills, health and wellbeing, environment and habitat conservation, sustainable energy, culture and heritage or recreation, sports and inclusion.
Groups within a three-mile radius of the farm are eligible, as well as those from Cornsay, Cornsay Colliery, Hamsteels, East Hedleyhope and Satley. Groups from further afield will be considered if their beneficiaries come from close to the wind farm or live in one of the named villages.
Over the last nine years, the West Durham Community Fund, owned by ESB international, has invested more than £200,000 in community projects close to the wind farm
To apply, go to www.cdcf.org.uk . The fund is open until October 25 at 5pm.