MORE than £7,500 has been made available by a council to turn festive parties in to Christmas crackers.

Groups in the Vale of White Horse looking to hold an event in the run up to Christmas are being encouraged to apply for grant funding now from the district council.

Not-for-profit community organisations that hold parties and events during the festive period can apply for grants of up to £1,000 each.

The money can cover up to 75 per cent of the total cost of staging an event that is open to the local community with at least 100 people due to attend.

Non-Christmas related events in 2018 can also apply for funding now.

Previously the Wantage Literary Festival and Drayton Village Fete have both been funded under the scheme.

Councillor Elaine Ware, cabinet member for grants at the district council, said: “Staging an event in your town or village can really bring the whole community together and help to attract more visitors to the area.

"With many communities planning their Christmas events this is the perfect opportunity to secure some additional funding."

If you need help to fund a local event in the Vale of White Horse visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants.