A £500,000 fund has been launched to help town and parish councils instigate new projects that directly respond to the needs of their communities.

Set up by Hampshire County Council in partnership with the Hampshire Association of Local Councils, the new Town and Parish Council Fund (TPCF) will work closely with people who have the knowledge to understand what their neighbourhoods need.

Operating as an investment fund, TPCF will also be available to support properly-constituted community groups, particularly in areas with no parish or town councils. There will be three themes on which organisations can apply for funding, all of which look to support new, innovative and sustainable proposals.

These include enhancing existing or providing new infrastructure which supports their communities, such as community centres; new schemes or projects which allow communities to be more resilient, for example, tackling social isolation or in the management of green open spaces; and funding training to support local community members to deliver services in the area, such as maintaining rights of way.

To apply, visit www3.hants.gov.uk/grants.