Liverpool City Council is offering grants of up to £5,000 to clubs and voluntary organisations to boost the sporting opportunities available for local people.

Liverpool Sports Forum and Liverpool Sports and Physical Activity Alliance manage the new lottery-funded programme that is working to improve existing services, enable wider access to activities and to launch new initiatives. Grants can be used to fund sports events, training courses and the purchase of equipment and well as meeting the expenses of volunteers and funding the development of new sports teams.

Groups that apply for funding must demonstrate their intention to work towards some form of accreditation - a Clubmark or FA Charter Mark, for example.

Stuart Wade, chair of Liverpool Sports Forum, said the grants will enable clubs and voluntary organisations to increase capacity, membership and participation.

Awards between £500 and £5,000 are also available for organisations that unite the community, such as arts and heritage charities. Priority is being given to local groups with an annual income under £15,000.

The council is funding the programme under its Liverpool: Active City initiative which is part of its plan to exceed the national target for participation in physical activity by 2010.

For further information contact Frank Doherty on 0151 233 6336 or visit www.awardsforall.org.uk or www.sportengland.org.uk