A MAJOR national funding body this week urged people in West Devon to apply for grants which could help a wide range of community projects get off the ground in this area.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awards Your Heritage grants for sums between £5,000 and £50,000 to support projects involving national, regional and local heritage.

But the grants are about more than conserving or restoring buildings, said Nerys Watts, HLF South West regional manager.

Ms Watts said: ?Heritage is not simply about funding for old buildings and ancient monuments. It?s about activities and opportunities for learning, opening up resources and sites to the widest possible audiences and breathing life into our past.?

Ms Watts said the Your Heritage grant scheme, funded by cash from the National Lottery, is aimed at projects which make history accessible and relevant, encouraging local communities to identify, look after and celebrate their heritage.

Anyone who would like advice on the scheme and project funding suitability should call the development team on 01392 223950 or go to the website at http://www.hlf.org.uk">www.hlf.org.uk