BOROUGH residents will get the chance to help allocate funds to local art groups later this month.

Thurrock CVS (Thurrock Community and Voluntary Services) is behind a 'Small Arts Grants fund' which has been introduced to provide funding to local individuals and organisations for projects which help build strong and well-connected communities.

Nominations for the latest round of grants have now been received and the local public will get a say on who gets what at an event on Thursday, 23 January from 5.30 to 7.30pm at the South Essex College campus on New Road, Grays.

A spokesperson for Thurrock CVS says: "With so many good applications, we feel that it's up the community to decide which projects they would like to see.

"Please join us for an evening hosted by Thurrock CVS and Thurrock Council of light entertainment and good conversation over cheese and wine at Waves Café in Grays, where you will get to have you say in which projects make it through the shortlisting process.

"The projects will also be on display in Grays Shopping Centre from 9am to 5pm for anyone to view.

"Please come and pay us a visit there if you're unable to make the evening event.

For more information on the VSDF Small Arts Grants, click on the red button below.