A cash award of £25,000 is on offer to Merseyside schools thanks to a new partnership between the Echo and Barclaycard.

All state schools are invited to apply for the top prize of £10,000 in the Making a Difference awards, to pay for a scheme to help the school, the environment, social inclusion projects, people with disabilities or the arts.

The credit card company will be working with the Echo to select the best project, with two runners-up awards of £5,000 and two of £2,500.

Editor Mark Dickinson said: "I am delighted the Echo has the chance to give some of our great schools this boost.

"Our partnership with Barclaycard is wonderful news for Merseyside schools and it will give them the chance to develop a project they've always dreamed about."

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