Arts and heritage projects in West Oxfordshire could be in line for a cash boost of up to £500.

West Oxfordshire District Council is making Community Activities Grants (CAG) available to organisations across the District.

Grants of between £100 and £500 are available for specific projects to be carried out by community groups and charities.

Charlbury Art Society was awarded a £500 grant last year and used it to help fund a wide range of activities at the Charlbury Festival.

Art Society Chairman Tony Lloyd said: “We wanted to get more local people engaged with the arts and we ended up with 50 events ranging from printing using a steam roller to concerts and plays as well as a wide range of workshops.

“What the grant did was allow many of the activities to be free so everyone could join in. It made the festival open and accessible.”

Mr Lloyd added that the Arts Society would be applying for another grant this year to help fund a community art project involving the creation of a flock of swifts in a mosaic which will be installed in one or more locations in the town.

He added: “Swifts are encouraged to thrive here and we wanted to make a permanent installation out of something that is connected to Charlbury.”

Jeanette Baker, cabinet member for leisure and health, said: “These grants are vitally important to small groups and organisations looking to fund specific projects.”

For more details and an application form go to westoxon.gov.uk/grants or call 01993 861080.

The deadline for applications is 12pm on April 9 with applications to be made to the Woodgreen Council offices.