South Devon weekly the Herald Express has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund to launch a huge community cash campaign.

Up to £250,000 will be available in grant funding to groups across the paper’s patch as part of the Cash for the Community Awards initiative.

Community groups will be able to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £30,000, with Herald Express readers selecting the winners from applicants short-listed by a panel.

The campaign will run for the next 14 weeks.

Herald Express editor Jim Parker said: “I was delighted when the Big Lottery Fund approached me to see if we would be interested in the project.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for groups and organisations out in our community to obtain invaluable cash backing for their projects which enhance the lives of so many people.

“It is also brilliant for the Herald Express to be playing a big part in such a huge initiative and it is certainly the biggest project of its kind with which we have ever been involved.”