CHARITABLE community groups in the Wee County could receive a financial boost of up to £3,000 from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The trust has opened up its Community Investment Programme to support not-for-profit organisations across former mining towns and villages.

Funding is primarily aimed at supporting groups in delivering their core services and to develop future initiatives.

Projects must be completed within 12 months and will support communities in areas of health and wellbeing, skills and training or job creation and employment.

The funding could be used for, but not limited to, purchasing equipment, delivery of training, venue hires, sessional salaries, new activities or services.

Nicky Wilson, chair of Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Scotland, said: "We're pleased to be calling for applications to our Community Investment Programme from charities and not-for-profit groups.

"These types of organisations carry out some of the most critical work and are the backbone of the mining communities.

"We're really looking forward to receiving the applications and hope the initiative will be a success for many years to come."

To be eligible to apply, organisations must be constituted as a charity or not-for-profit group delivering a service or activity in a CRT eligible coalfield community.

Organisations must have accounts, or a cash flow projection for recently formed groups, and a bank account.

Groups can email david.wright@coalfields-regen.org.uk for an application form and a short phone call will be arranged to ensure eligibility requirements are met.