THE Guardian is once again offering community groups and worthy causes in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich the chance to get grants of up to £50,000.

Applications are invited to receive the cash from to the Gannett Foundation - the charitable arm of the Guardian's parent company, Gannett.

The foundation gives priority to projects of lasting benefit such as a specially adapted minibuses for elderly people or people with disabilities, projects that benefit people with special needs either through disability or disadvantage, sport, environment, conservation and local history projects.

Grants should be for specified items or purposes, with detailed costings and will not be given to the following organisations: individuals, organisations that are not registered charities, national or regional organisations unless the project addresses specific local community needs, political, religious or uniformed groups.

Also excluded is money for salaries, training costs, publicity funding or general running costs, endowment funds, general appeals, general contribution to costs or multi-year campaigns, medical or research organisations, animal charities and school groups, excluding special needs schools.

Past winners from this area include Toc H, Cheshire Penguins, the Vale Royal branch of the Alzheimer's Society, Community Partners, Vale Royal Disability Services and the Neuromuscular Centre.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form, which can be obtained from Vivien Kandel at the Northwich Guardian by ringing 01606 813617, or emailing vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk.

The completed form must be sent to Vivien Kandel by post to 15 Market Street, Northwich CW9 5DT.

The newspaper will expect you to co-operate with reasonable arrangements for publicity for any grant given and in some cases may ask for the Gannett Foundation logo to be displayed on major items of equipment such as minibuses.

The closing date for entries is Friday, March 7.