THOUSANDS of pounds are up for grabs for community and voluntary organisations.

West Dorset District Council's (WDDC) Car Boot Fund has re-opened.

The income from weekly car boot sales held in West Bay is distributed annually to local community and voluntary organisations in and around Bridport and benefits projects operating or supporting residents living in the area.

Together with a car boot fund in Dorchester, more than £27,000 was raised last year.

Cllr Mary Penfold, WDDC portfolio holder for enabling, said: “We are delighted that last year the car boot sales raised over £27,000. This has benefited organisations in both Bridport and Dorchester.”

Organisations can apply for grants of between £100 and £3,000.

Last year's fund awarded funding to organisations in Bridport including The Living Tree, which received a £500 to continue running its Stepping Out programme. The programme encourages people living with cancer to engage in appropriate physical activity; Read Easy Bridport, which received £300 to help support people with literacy issues to learn to read and Bridport Millennium Green Trust, which received £500 to improve the access from the north side of Bridport.

Cllr Keith Day, chairman of the Bridport Area Car Boot Fund Panel, said: “We encourage all local community organisations to apply, as these grants can really boost the charities goals.”

The 2018 car boot fund is now open and the closing date for applications is April 30.

Applicants must be a voluntary, non-profit-making group or charity and demonstrate a need for their project that will result in a community benefit.

The panel will make decisions on allocating grants in June and notify organisations at the end of July.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a celebration event in September, which will give representatives an opportunity to share news about their projects.

For more information and to find out if your group is eligible, visit www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/bridportfund