MORE than £56,000 of grant funding is available to help and encourage towns and parishes within the Torridge district to work together more closely to improve their communities.

Devon County Council and Torridge District Council have set up a joint Town and Parish (TAP) fund.

Grants are available for parishes if they can show they are working in partnership with each other. Grants may be for capital or revenue costs, or for a new project or service.

The fund is launched by the county council and managed locally by Torridge. The county council is providing one pound for every elector in the district and Torridge is topping up this amount by 10p per elector, bringing the total fund to £56,905.

Leader of Torridge Council, Philip Collins, said: 'We want to see local parishes working together for the benefit of all, sharing ideas and improving their communities. The money will only be there until next April, so I urge parishes to get their applications in sooner rather than later.'

Applications will only be accepted from two or more groups working in partnership. Registered charities, social enterprises, voluntary and not-for-profit community organisations can also apply through their town or parish council.

For more information contact Malcolm Harris on 01237 428756, email [email protected]">[email protected]