Children's groups have been among the most popular bids for cash from the Oxford Mail and British Gas Community Chest Awards.

Playgroups and nurseries have submitted entries for funds for new play equipment and schemes to help keep youngsters amused.

Charities and community groups are invited to apply for up to 500 from the 5,000 fund for their project.

Opportunity Playgroup, at Hernes House, Hernes Crescent, north Oxford, is a pre-school playgroup for young children with special needs up to the age of five. The youngsters take part in a wide range of physical and imaginative activities and there is a whirlpool bath and sensory room to aid stimulation. Each day they take part in painting, gluing or cooking and each session ends by singing nursery rhymes.

The group has applied for 500 for special needs equipment and transport.

Playgroup supervisor Jane Taylor said: "The playgroup meets four mornings a week in term time, with children attending once or twice initially. Transport is provided for those who need it.

"Parents are welcome to attend. It's a place for worries to be shared, information exchanged and support and understanding given.

"The staff are committed to valuing and respecting the differing backgrounds of the young children we care for, so that each child is valued as an individual."

The group has close links with social workers, health care professional, teachers and physiotherapists and is supervised by a registered nurse.

A paediatric occupational therapist visits regularly and there is a speech therapy session every fortnight.

The playgroup is provided by Oxford and District Mencap but receives no funding from the charity.

It relies on the 2 a session fee, fundraising, donations and grants from local authorities.

**See today's Oxford Mail for entry details or email oxfordmail.letters@nqo.com