Community groups in West Oxfordshire can apply for funding to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The district council is offering grants of up to £500 to help with projects, including tree planting, floral displays, plaques or benches.

Funding is being made available from the council’s community activities grants scheme.

The scheme is normally aimed at general arts and heritage projects, but its scope is being widened as a one-off because of this year’s 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War.

The council’s communities cabinet member Richard Langridge said: “We are making a special exception this year to offer financial support to local communities who want to do something to mark this significant milestone in world history.

“The council is proud to support local communities in this way and we look forward to receiving ideas and seeing the projects come to fruition.”

For more details, see westoxon.gov.uk. The deadline for grant applications is Wednesday, April 23.