COMMUNITY projects, groups and facilities in North Somerset are all hoping for support from the public in their applications for a boost in funding.

A number of associations and committees in the district have applied to NatWest bank’s CommunityForce scheme to win �6,000 to put toward their work and members of the public can now vote for which they think should win.

After the voting, hundreds of groups are set to receive �6,000 each.

* In Clevedon, the association which runs the community centre and Princes Hall in Princes Road has applied for the money to help pay for repairs and maintenance at the facility, which is used by 2,000 people each month including amateur dramatic and music groups.

If successful, the committee plans to spend half on hidden essential work, including a leaking roof, and half on visible refurbishment and redecoration.

Committee member Heather Read said: “The efforts of current users, the people of the town and major companies is vital to the success of the refurbishment.

“Voting under the NatWest scheme is an easy and cost-free way to show support and we are grateful for everyone who takes the time to vote for us.”

Also in Clevedon, the town’s salvation army has applied for the money to make improvements at its Old Street base so that it meets current legislation.

* In Portishead, members of Portishead Pool Community Trust are pinning their hopes on the money to complete disabled facilities at the open air pool.

Pool spokesman Barbara Thatcher said: “We have a room set aside for disabled changing and have completed preliminary works, but there is still a great deal of work to do and specialist materials to buy.”

For the application to the CommunityForce scheme, the group spent days putting together images and video clips but unfortunately missed the deadline. These can now be viewed at www.portisheadopenairpool.org.uk

Other Portishead groups that have made a bid for funding include the Portishead Christmas lights committee which needs help to replace the existing bulbs with energy saving ones and Portishead Youth Centre which is looking to purchase new audio visual and media equipment.

Also in Portishead, the charity United Response wants to use the money to help fund the work of its outreach team, which supports people with learning difficulties, mental health needs and physical disabilities.

* In Nailsea, the West of England MS Therapy Centre has applied for the money to help fund a move to a bigger, new centre in Bradley Stoke and Nailsea and District Community Transport wants the money to put toward funding a new minibus which will cost more than �38,000.

* In Pill, Penny Brohn Cancer Care has applied for funding to help the charity expand its Cancerpoint clinic, which provides support to people suffering from Cancer.

The Pill division of St John Ambulance would like the money to alter the existing toilets at St Johns Hall to allow them to be accessed by the disabled. Over the past six years the group has refurbished the Lodway facility, turning it into a well-used community space.

* In Wraxall, Children’s Hospice South West has applied for the money to help fund the work it carries out at Charlton Farm, looking after children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Anyone wishing to vote for a certain project to receive the money can visit the webpage http://communityforce.natwest.com/projects/ and type in the relevant town name. Alternatively, votes can be cast by calling 0800 2100 246.

Voting opened on Monday and will be open until October 23.