Churches across Oxfordshire are being invited to apply for cash to fund restoration projects as the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust celebrates a £50,000 grant.

The money was awarded by Waste Recycling Environmental Limited -- an organisation set up to distribute landfill tax credits from the Waste Recycling Group, which runs landfill sites in Sutton Courtenay and Stanton Harcourt.

It has £1m to give away to Oxfordshire community projects.

Community groups are being invited to apply for help with anything from equipping play areas, to restoring a village hall.

But because so many churches need cash help, WREN's advisory panel has decided to give a £50,000 lump sum to the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, which will now distribute it to churches of all denominations who apply.

For information on how churches can apply call 01865 735179, or visit the website www.ocht.org.uk, or e-mail chriswalton@wolfson.ox.ac.uk