SWINDON Liberal Democrats have written to voluntary groups about plans to cut their funding.

The Lib Dems are opposing council plans to cut £252,000 from voluntary sector grants and are now asking for help from the groups themselves.

Coun Chris Shepherd, Lib Dem leader, will propose a motion at Thursday's full council meeting, asking for funding to voluntary groups to be guaranteed for three years and for the funding to be allocated by an external body so it could be free from political interference.

And Coun Shepherd has written to all groups who have received a grant from the council over the last year, asking them to lobby councillors in support of the motion.