COMMUNITY spirited schools are being given the chance to scoop an impressive £3,000 top prize in a new competition being run by Barclays and The Westmorland Gazette.

The Schools in Action competition is being launched this week and offers secondary and special schools in the Gazette's readership area (which covers South Lakeland, parts of Eden, North Lancashire and North Yorkshire) the chance to win funding for a project that benefits their local community.

The overall winner will pocket £3,000 which must be used to pay for the project, while two runners-up will be awarded £1,000 making a total prize pot of £5,000, solely funded by Barclays.

The winning projects must be something that will have a lasting benefit to the local community - for example creating a sensory garden for children with special needs or a new facility for the young and old.

Entries can also take the form of assisting existing facilities, such as a community playgroup or youth club, or help in establishing a new one.

Or it could be practical support for a local charity or an initiative that offers training to the local people.

All entries must demonstrate how the new project will work and how school children and residents alike will be involved in its planning.

And schools that need a helping hand will be able to call on volunteers from Barclays to help in their activities, if appropriate.

Schools eligible to enter have already been sent letters detailing the criteria.

The competition is open to schools that are already undertaking such a project or are planning to in the near future and is part of Barclays' and the Gazette's commitment to the communities they serve and their push to bring a positive change to people of all ages.

The deadline for entries is February 11, and will be followed by two weeks of judging before the winner and runners up are revealed on March 4.

An independent panel of judges including representatives from Barclays Bank, Westmorland Gazette editor and publisher Mike Glover, and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins, who is also Shadow Education Minister, will choose the winners.

Barclays Regional Community Manager Rachel Herbinson said: "At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to be helping schools across the area make a real and lasting difference to their local communities."

Mr Glover added: "The splendid schools and students in this area already have a proven track record in serving the community, and this is a great opportunity to highlight, applaud and reward their efforts."

And Mr Collins added: "I hope as many schools as possible will choose to take part in this competition.

"It is a real chancefor both pupils and teachers to show what they are made of and I am delighted that there are some very attractive rewards for those who win in the end.

"As Shadow Secretary for Education, and a judge, I am particularly looking forward to seeing what our young people can do."

If you have any queries about the competition or require further information write to: Barclays Bank PLC, North West Community Team, 265 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1PD or telephone 01704 303518.