COMMUNITY groups in areas served by Newsquest titles, including the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, will share in a massive cash bonanza this year.

A total of £512,653 is available to worthy causes in the UK from the Gannett Foundation, which is sponsored entirely by Newsquest's parent company, Gannett Co., Inc.

The 2004 allocation will be distributed to community projects within the circulation area of Newsquest's 317 titles.

Last year, grants distributed in East Lancashire included almost £5,000 for an Action Factory project with teenage parents in Blackburn with Darwen; £4,940 to buy traditional gypsy caravans for children's holidays at Lords House Farm, Rishton and £1,500 for The Women's Centre to produce 1,000 relaxation tapes for use across the area.

This year's sum represents an increase of nearly eight per cent on 2003 when £475,000 went to worthy causes in this country and brings the total amount awarded by the Gannett Foundation since it was established in Britain three years ago to nearly £2.5million. Applications for grants must made through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and interested organisations or groups, which must be registered charities, should contact Nick Nunn on 01254 678678 or email nnunn@lancashire.newsquest

.co.uk

The Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, cultural enrichment and support for disadvantaged people.

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 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."