GREEN fingered groups in County Durham can apply for cash to help them spruce up their communities.

Durham County Council is offering up to £500 to organisations to put towards environmental improvements.

Applicants must be willing to take part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme, which gives small groups the chance to get involved in Britain in Bloom activities.

The free initiative also allows volunteer-led gardening groups to take part in projects relevant to local issues such as cleaning up a park, revamping a rundown back lane or adding floral or planting displays to open spaces.

Councillor Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive change to the place they live, work or spend their leisure time.

“We would encourage any community groups in the county wanting to make a positive change to their environment to apply for the funding.”

An earlier round of funding saw the council support 27 projects including Shincliffe Parish Horticultural Group, which has been involved in a number environmental improvements and sustainable developments.

It put the grant towards planting ethically sourced English wildflowers at the old mine site in High Shincliffe and worked closely with Shincliffe Primary School on the project.

Other schemes awarded funding included a community garden, conservation of a closed burial ground and planting of fruit trees and hedges to encourage people to grow food and promote wildlife.

The council’s civic pride and clean and green teams will support applicants.

Applications are open until Friday, November 13, forms are available online at durham.gov.uk/itsyourneighbourhood or email civicpride@durham.gov.uk or call 03000-261000.