ORGANISATIONS in Ulverston are being encouraged to dig deep into a water company grants fund.

United Utilities wants to give away the first slice of a £7,000 grants fund to community groups close to its major construction project in the town.

The utilities company is building a £6m storm water storage tank under the Ellers allotments to help clean up Ulverston’s Town Beck and ultimately boost water quality in the Leven Estuary.

Grants of up to £500 are available to community, self-help and voluntary groups and local charities whose work makes Ulverston a better place to live, work or play.

Project manager Roger Woodcock said despite working hard to minimise disruption, engineers understood their work was inconvenient for local people.

He said: “Our new tank will be great news for the environment, but while we’re here we want to give something back to local people who are being so patient with us. There are some hard-working organisations in Ulverston and we want to help them get their hands on some well-deserved cash.”

The first deadline for applications to the fund is February 28 and it is particularly aimed at local groups affected by United Utilities’ work who need cash for projects which address a community issue and provide long-term benefit. Projects which are not eligible include grant and loan schemes, party political activity and sponsorship for individuals.

For more information, email communitygrantfund@uuplc.co.uk.