MILLIONS of pounds of European aid for Newport could soon be lost - because no one wants it.

The Argus revealed in September that only £500,000 of the £7.2 million European cash had been allocated.

And despite stepping up its appeal for applicants, Newport council's European Unit says still only around £720,000 has so far been allotted to projects. The money is through of Objective 2 and Objective 3 aid.

Objective 2 funding is mainly for capital projects addressing issues such as a decline in traditional rural activities, or problems in urban areas. Newport has £5,315,458 to spend. Objective 3 is primarily for training and skills development and the cash pot is £1,883,670.

Roger Davies, unit manager, told the Argus: "We would urge more groups to apply. We are looking for good quality applications from the voluntary and community sector and would encourage anyone who needs help with their application to contact us for assistance."

Mr Davies warned the money could either be reallocated elsewhere in East Wales, or be lost to Wales altogether, if nobody applies for it.

Six bids for Objective 2 funding - worth a total of £485,366 - have so far been supported by the council to go forward for approval by the Wales Euro-pean Funding Office (WEFO).

Those supported include: a feasibility study into converting the railway station building into a centre supporting business start-ups; redevelopment of Ringland Community Centre; expansion of Newport North West Credit Union; the University of Wales College Newport's Festival of Enterprise and; a development project for Duffryn.

Five bids for Objective 3, worth just £236,876, have been supported to go to WEFO and a third call for this type of funding went out on November 5.

Objective 3 cash is is available for organisations like community groups, voluntary organisations and the private sector, whose applications are innovative and fill a gap in the market.

Applications must also promote equal opportunities and lifelong learning, encourage the use of information and communication technology, and be sustainable.

Anyone interested in applying should contact the European Unit at Newport council, where you can get advice and guidance on projects and applications. Write to The European Unit, Civic Centre, Newport, NP20 4UR, telephone 01633 232237, or e-mail European@newport. gov.uk