VOLUNTARY groups in Wanstead and Woodford can bid for a slice of a £200,000 grant to upgrade their facilities.

The council’s Redbridge Community Fund has been set up to help organisations efficiently deliver local initiatives.

Councillors agreed to the list of funding priorities at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 6, following a 12-week consultation with voluntary groups.

Charting high on the list are crime reduction, environmental sustainability, improving health, social inclusion and reducing poverty.

Active participation of young and disabled people is also a key focus of the fund.

Redbridge-based voluntary and community groups or partnerships can bid for the money from February.

Any amount up to £200,000 can be applied for and applications will be considered by a cross-party panel before being rubber stamped by Cabinet.

An application pack will be available online from February at www.redbridge.gov.uk or from the council’s One-Stop-Shop on High Road, Ilford.