Community groups in Bradford Council’s Worth Valley ward could find a share of £10,000 in their Christmas stockings this year.

The three ward councillors will award grants to groups that prove they make their area a better place to live, with the money handed out just weeks before Christmas.

Councillors Glen Miller, Russell Brown and Rebecca Poulsen have combined the annual grants each Bradford district councillor receives to improve their wards and hope to make the process open to the whole community.

They could even ask for a show of hands to decide where some of the money goes.

Each group will make a five- minute presentation to prove they deserve the grants, which will be awarded at a public event on Wednesday, December 5, at Holden Hall in Oakworth.

Coun Miller said: “With the state of the economy, we thought ‘why not spread some Christmas cheer for our community groups?’ “It is often the same few groups that keep coming back asking for money. We would like to give some start-up grants to new groups.”

Groups hoping to make a bid can contact the Keighley Area Committee on (01535) 618008 and must apply by November 23.