ANYONE interested in running a community arts project in the borough of Stockton is invited to bid for a share of the Local Arts Development Fund 2002.

Grants of up to £500 are available to community groups, organisations and local artists with a commitment to developing the arts in the borough.

Among the projects to benefit from the fund last year are the Oral History Festival at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and a circus skills training programme for youngsters developed by Stockton's Unicycling and Juggling Club.

A number of schools were awarded grants last year, which supported the Shutterbugs photography project during the Riverside Festival.

Claire Frawley, arts development assistant for Stockton Borough Council, said: "Past projects have had a truly positive effect on those involved either by helping them to develop new skills or by just allowing them to have fun by being creative.

"We're keen to support both established arts development projects and new initiatives involving members of the community who have not previously had access to the arts.

"All that we ask is that projects demonstrate some long-term community benefit and have other sources of additional funding."

For more information, or to request an application pack, contact (01642) 415379.