Community groups in Leek have been urged to apply for £5,000 of funding that has been allocated to support them - as none of the money has been allocated so far.

Dozens of voluntary and community groups in Staffordshire are benefiting from county council funding and there's still time to apply before the deadline.

The 2021 Community Fund is being delivered by Staffordshire County Council and is open for applications until 31st October 2021.

The fund aims to help get the county's voluntary and community sector back up and running and thriving following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Projects that help groups to develop or restart their own fundraising activities or get their community activities back up and running in a safe way are likely to be funded.

Other projects looking to build on the community energy of the past year are also likely to be considered for funding, for example where a new community network needs help to take its next step for the future.

Each county councillor has up to £2,500 to allocate towards projects or groups. However, the county council's website currently shows that Leek's two county councillors, Charlotte Atkins and Gill Heath, have only allocated 10% of this funding so far.

The website shows that Cllr Atkins has currently allocated £500 to Pickwood Forest Community Association, and Cllr Heath has not allocated any funding so far.

This means that a potential £4,500 that could be spent on Leek community groups is still up for grabs.

Councillors can allocate funding in smaller amounts or jointly with other County Councillors, to fund projects which work across their local areas or even to fund projects working districtwide or countywide.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council is urging groups to make an application before the closing date.

Victoria said: "We've already seen some great projects funded but we're keen to hear from more groups before the fund closes at the end of the month.

"We have a thriving and dedicated voluntary sector in Staffordshire, with many thousands of volunteers who have provided vital support and services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The last 18 months without doubt have put extra pressures on many groups and through our fund we hope to be able to help them recover and rebuild them to their pre-pandemic activities.

"We've tried to make the application process as simple as possible to make it easy for people to apply and I would urge groups, large or small, to get their applications in before the closing date.

"People do need to speak to their local county councillor first and details of all county councillors is available on the council's website."

People interested in applying for funding should speak to their local county councillor in the first instance.

Full details on the fund, how to check eligibility and make an application is available on the council's website.