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The Communities Can Do fund has been created by the North Manchester Regeneration partnership to provide grants for a range of projects and ideas to benefit the community.

Groups can apply for grants of up to ?2,000 to spruce up their streets with decoration such as hanging baskets or to improve safety by improving pathways or gating escape routes for villains.

Smaller hand outs of around ?300 can also be made available for community events such as trips to the seaside or activities in the local park.

Each group that wins a grant will be expected to submit photographs or demonstrate in some other way - such as through video, a display or a performance - what their project has achieved.

In May 2001 a display of the pictures, illustrations or performances will form part of a community event to celebrate what has been made possible through the grants.

There will be prizes for the most original project and for the best display, photograph or performance.

Martin Pagel, joint chair of North Manchester Regeneration and Manchester City Council's deputy leader, urged community groups to take advantage of the offer.

He said: "Communities Can Do will give north Manchester community groups an opportunity to do something different for themselves and other residents.

"Its special appeal is that it positively welcomes the most inaginative and original ideas to celebrate and achieve something new and exciting in the area."