‘FILL those holes and plug those gaps in your village hall or community building’ is the advice from local electricity company Western Power Distribution (WPD) which is offering communities in its network area a share of a £50,000 grants jackpot.

The WPD Community Chest grant scheme is a partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) which will administer the initiative and provide expert advice and support.

Community groups within WPD’s distribution area which serves the Midlands, South Wales and the South West of England, can apply for the cash help.

Tracy Carr, the company’s community liaison officer said: “The Community Chest grant scheme is designed to help a range of groups take simple but effective energy efficiency measures to not only reduce their energy costs but also reduce the carbon emissions of the buildings they use for their activities.”

The maximum award for each successful group will be £1,000. CSE has put together a simple application process along with some energy survey guidance notes for interested groups.

Visit the website cse.org.uk/wpdcc for details.