COMMUNITY groups and organisations are invited to put their case forward for a share of funding from their county councillor.

The Staffordshire Local Community Fund, launched yesterday, gives every county councillor across the county £10,000 to spend in their area.

Applications are now being received for the new fund, which replaces the Local Member Initiative Scheme.

The cabinet member for communities and culture, Ben Adams, said: "All of our county councillors have a vital role to play in their communities. The new Local Community Fund is one way of them responding to the needs of groups in their area.

"While councillors cannot accommodate every request, we are looking forward to seeing the many success stories that the new Local Community Fund will bring."

Councillor Adams added that the council plans to quickly build and continue to expand the Staffordshire Local Comm-unity Fund.