Community and voluntary groups are being invited to bid for a last bit of £138,000 core funding from Craven District Council.

The funding is set to disappear after its current two-year term as the council itself struggles to cope with reduced grants from central government.

Successful applicants, which in the past have included Settle Swimming Pool and Craven Volunteer Centre, will have to demonstrate their willingness to work with the council to become more resilient.

Council leader Coun Chris Knowles-Fitton said community and voluntary organisations played a particularly important role.

“There are over 700 currently providing a varied and diverse range of services and activities to communities across Craven,” he said.

“We are acutely aware of the huge contribution these groups and their volunteers can make to helping improve the quality of life throughout the district.

“This is also why we are committed to working with these groups to see what opportunities are available to help them become more self-reliant and reduce their need for funding from the council.”

Over the past three years, the council has handed out £260,000 under the scheme towards the running costs of 12 organisations.

Applications will be considered from organisations providing services thathave a positive impact on the lives of Craven residents and contribute to the delivery of priorities laid out in the Council Plan.

It is expected that the total amount requested will exceed the amount available.

Groups have until next Sunday, January 26 to apply for funding. Application forms are available from the council website cravendc.gov.uk/coregrants