THOUSANDS of pounds are up for grabs in the latest round of grants from the parent company of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News.

The Gannett foundation, the charitable arm of our US parent company, is looking for charities to apply for cash and forms are already flooding in to our Trowbridge offices.

Money is available to registered charities across west and north Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News editor Andy Sambidge said: "Charities in this area do some really great work and they could always do with more funds. We already have a lot of forms handed in and each will be sent to our head office for consideration."

The foundation hands out grants of between £1,000 and £5,000, with higher grants being considered for exceptional projects, twice a year.

Groups in the area to benefit recently include the Melksham Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied Club (PHAB) and the Calne Physically Handicapped Club.

The foundation is particularly keen to hear from projects taking any innovative approach in areas such as neighbourhood improvements, youth development, environmental conservation and assisting disadvantaged members of the community.

Grants will NOT be given to organisations not registered as charities; national or regional organisations, unless the project addresses specific local or community needs; promotion of religious causes; endowment funds; general appeals or multi-year campaigns; medical or research organisations or animal charities.

Applications are available from the Wiltshire Times offices, at Duke Street.

Completed forms should be returned to The Gannett Foundation, c/o Morwenna Blake, Wiltshire Times, 15 Duke Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8EF by March 18.