GROUPS working in Bexley's Areas of Opportunity could be entitled to grants of up to £5,000.

The grants scheme is open to all community and voluntary groups to help support activities and services in the Areas of Opportunity programme in Thamesmead, Erith, Slade Green, Cray/Sidcup, Belvedere, Northumberland Heath, Crayford, Welling and Bexleyheath.

Bexley Council, which runs the programme, is keen to hear from groups working with residents to tackle social exclusion.

Because people often find grant application forms difficult to fill in, they have been made as easy as possible to encourage groups to apply.

There are three different grants: up to £500 to help put on events and activities; up to £2,000 to buy essential equipment and up to £5,000 to pay for small projects.

For details or an application form, call 020 8294 6825 or visit bexley.gov.uk/areasofopportunity