COMMUNITY groups in South Lakeland, Eden, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire are being invited to apply for grants which could help them achieve their aims.

Around £270,000 is available to worthy causes in the United Kingdom from the Gannett Foundation, which is sponsored entirely by Newsquest's parent company, Gannett Co Inc.

The allocation will be distributed to community projects within the circulation area of Newsquest's 317 titles, which include the Westmorland Messenger.

The Gannett Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, education, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

In November last year, an Appleby charity which works for blind and partially-sighted people, was awarded a £2,500 grant from the Gannett Foundation to help it continue its good work.

The Talking Messenger Association records The Westmorland Messenger and other publications on tape for blind and partially-sighted people. All the tapes are mailed out free of charge and the charity has about 600 listeners across the world.

The association used the Gannett cash to buy a high speed copier to produce tapes more quickly, and a bulk eraser to save volunteers from having to clean the tapes by hand.

Now there is the opportunity for other groups to apply for similar grants.

Margaret Strayton, Newsquest's Group Editorial Manager and a trustee of the Gannett Foundation in the UK, said: "Priority is given to local community organisations for equipment or running costs of projects in the areas of help for homeless people, after-school activities for disadvantaged or disabled children, youth organisations and community safety initiatives.

"Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund but we do help where we can make a lasting difference to people in the communities we serve."

All donations are strictly at the discretion of the fund, but applicants should note the fund will not consider: n Unregistered charitable causes n Applications that are not made in writing on the official form n Applications that alter the form or do not give full answers n Funding of salaries or general running costs n Endowment funds n Animal charities n Medical research n Causes promoting religion The official application form and a copy of the Gannett Foundation guidelines can be obtained from Andrew Thomas, Deputy Editor, Westmorland Messenger, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, Westmorland LA9 4DP or by emailing andrew.thomas@kendal.newsquest.co.uk .

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 22, 2005.

For more information about the grants, telephone 01539-710159.