GIDLEY CALLS FOR LOCAL LOTTERY FUNDING

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Apr 2008

City & County MP, Sandra Gidley, is urging community groups across Southampton and the Test Valley to apply for grants from Groundwork UK to improve local green spaces.

£50 million is available across the country in grants of up to £450,000 for groups who want to make their neighbourhoods cleaner and greener. The funds are being allocated to create and support play areas, community gardens, parks, wildlife areas, ponds, courts, and village greens.

Further information can be found on the CommunitySpaces website at http://www.community-spaces.org.uk

Commenting today, Sandra said:

"I'm keen that local groups across the county should take full advantage of this funding.

"Of course we are lucky to have some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain around us, but further advantages could be taken of our open spaces.

"In particular, I'd like to see more play spaces, so that local parents have somewhere to take their children.

"We need to protect and maintain our village greens and open spaces, and I am more than happy to lend my support to this scheme."

ENDS