COMMUNITY groups in Newport with bright ideas to improve their areas could plug into £360,000 of European cash.

Funding was secured by the city council under the Objective 2 programme to set up the community grants scheme.

Voluntary and local groups in certain Newport wards can apply for up to £10,000 towards an economic, community or environmental project.

They could relate to crime prevention and safety, environmental improvements, recycling or energy efficiency.

Carol Preece, the officer in the European Unit overseeing the scheme, said: "We are looking for initiatives that are community-based and are about community regeneration.

"We cannot fund statutory requirements. With traffic calming, for example, we could not give money for speed humps but we could give a grant for a variable message sign which is solar-panel driven."

Newport recently became the first city in the UK to switch on solar powered street lights designed by local firm SolarGen Solutions.

Mrs Preece said this was just one example of an idea that could catch the attention of the panel which will consider the applications.

"We are looking for initiatives which are particularly different."

The scheme was launched this month and the wards eligible for qualification are Pillgwenlly, Tredegar Park, Bettws, Stow Hill, Lliswerry, Ringland, Alway (which includes Somerton), Victoria, Gaer and Shaftsbury.

Mrs Preece is able to provide guidance and assistance to those who want to apply for the cash.

Interested groups have to fill in an inquiry form and, if this receives a positive response, a simple, four-page application then has to be completed.

The scheme runs until 2005, but the deadline for the first raft of applications is likely to be mid-December.

"I'm very excited about it," said Mrs Preece. "It's all about ownership and taking pride in your community."

Groups who want to apply should contact Carol Preece, community grants officer, European Unit, Newport Civic Centre. Telephone 01633 232237.