FILL those holes and plug those gaps in your village hall or community building — that is the advice from Western Power Distribution (WDP), which is offering communities in their network area a share of a £50,000 grants jackpot to help them achieve it.

The WPD Community Chest grant scheme is a partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) which will administer the initiative and provide expert advice and support.

Community groups within WPD's distribution area can apply for the cash help.

Tracy Carr, the company's community liaison officer, said: 'The Community Chest grant scheme is designed to help a range of groups take simple but effective energy efficiency measures to not only reduce their energy costs but also reduce the carbon emissions of the buildings they use for their activities.

'Our community buildings are often the backbone of our towns and villages.

'They can support a wide range of activities for people of all ages and they have a positive impact on local people.

'So we would encourage all non-profit making community groups to take a look at the website and apply for one of the grants. They could be a few clicks away from a grant which can support their local community building and save them money.'

The maximum award for each successful group will be £1,000 and will enable community groups to insulate loft spaces, install energy monitors, insulate windows and doors, fit effective heating controls and install low energy lighting.

CSE has put together a simple application process along with some energy survey guidance notes for interested groups.

Visit the CSE website at http://www.cse.org.uk/wpdcc">www.cse.org.uk/wpdcc for more information and click on the WPD Community Chest link to download an application form and energy survey audit form.