A Carlisle shopping centre is set to offer local good causes and community groups the chance to win £1,000 after launching its new community fund. 

The Lanes Shopping Centre is inviting applications for its new 'The Lanes Community Fund", with local groups asked to submit these before the closing date on Sunday, June 30. 

The community fund has no specific criteria with community groups, schools, and charities amongst those encouraged to apply with The Lanes Shopping Centre also asking for a short synopsis of how these local organisations would plan to use the money to continue their work. 

After applications have been submitted and compiled they will be subsequently reviewed and shortlisted and put to a final social media vote with the winner being announced shortly after. 

After the initial launch of the new community fund, The Lanes' centre manager Susan Young expressed her delight at being able to give something back to the local community.

She said: "Over the years The Lanes has given support to local groups and various charities by way of giving raffle prizes and small cash donations for sponsorships, but it’s always been on an ad hoc basis.

"We wanted to introduce a scheme which will offer support on a regular basis and the introduction of the Community fund will allow us to do this

"We would like people to tell us a little about what they do, how the money will be spent and what difference it will make, and we will consider each application on its merits and the benefits that these groups can gain by our support.

"We look forward to receiving the applications, providing the donation and most of all, being able to see the difference that the fund will make."

Anyone wishing to apply should send their application to susany@ashdownphillips.com outlining the main activities of the organisation and what the support will be used for.