GROUPS across the North-East and North Yorkshire can apply for a share of a fund that helps set up community shed or cree spaces.

The Sheds Grant Fund has opened for applications from constituted, volunteer-led groups that want to start a community workshop for people meet to do practical activities.

They are designed and run by members and provide opportunities for people to share tools, resources and skills.

Older people’s charity Royal Voluntary Service runs the Sheds Grant Fund, with money from the Asda Foundation, to provide grants of £250 to £1,000 to help get sheds established or to develop.

Julie Ward, manager of the Asda Foundation, said: “We see the sheds programme as making a real difference at a grassroots level and are proud to support this initiative.”

The UK Shed movement is based on an Australian project and in seven years nearly 400 have been launched, aimed at enabling men benefit from the social interaction and practical skill sharing that are at their heart.

The Sheds Grant Fund is ran in conjunction with the four national Shed Associations representing and supporting Sheds in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

During 2016, 29 shed projects were awarded funding.

Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are available and the deadline for applications is Sunday, March 5. For details and to apply visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/sheds