SCHOOLS are being urged to take up the chance to win a top prize of £3,000 to pay for a project that will benefit their community in a competition being run by Barclays and The Westmorland Gazette.

The Schools in Action competition was launched last week and has already attracted interest from eligible schools eager to scoop the impressive top prize and two runners up prizes of £1,000 each.

The impressive prize pot provided by Barclays is open to schools in the Gazette's readership area (which covers South Lakeland, parts of Eden, North Lancashire and North Yorkshire).

The winning entry must be something that is of lasting benefit to the community for example creating a sensory garden for children with special needs or giving practical support to an existing community facility or creating a new one from scratch.

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

Schools in need of 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 received letters and have until February 11 to submit their entries.

The winners picked by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from Barclays, Westmorland Gazette editor and publisher Mike Glover, and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins, who is also Shadow Education Minister will be announced on March 4.

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 1DP or telephone 01704-303518.