CHARITIES are being invited to apply for a grant from the Gannett Foundation, run by the publishers of your News.

The foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, owner of Newsquest Media Group, which publishes regional newspapers, websites and magazines nationwide, including the News and its sister papers in Somerset.

It provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates in the UK.

It values projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities served by its papers, including schemes for neighbourhood improvement and local problem-solving, economic development, youth development, education and cultural creativity, help for the disadvantaged or disabled and environmental conservation.

Preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, but Gannett will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet the criteria.

Applications, with full guidelines and details on restrictions, can be downloaded by clicking on chardandilminsternews.co .uk/gannett_foundation The closing date for applications, which should be emailed to alex.cameron@ nqsw.co.uk, is 5pm on Thursday, September 11.