COMMUNITY groups across Derwentside have been invited to a seminar to hear how they could benefit from the Coalfields Trust Community Chest grant scheme.

Grants of between £250 and £5,000 are available to groups with an annual income of less than £10,000.

Groups have to be in the following wards - Annfield Plain, Burnhope, Catchgate, Craghead, Esh, Havannah, South Moor, South Stanley, Stanley Hall and Tanfield.

Marie Moore, Derwentside District Council's funding development officer, is keen to increase the number of applications.

She said: "The scheme will fund a wide range of projects aimed at regenerating the former coalfield wards of the district, and I want to make sure that we get our fair share."

The seminar will be held at 2pm, next Thursday, in the Club Room at the Louisa Centre, Stanley. Any groups interested in attending should contact Ms Moore, on (01207) 218203.