Businesses and community groups in Southend are to be given key advice on how to grab a slice of the £15 million handout being awarded to the town from Brussels.

The Euro-cash boost is to be granted to five areas of the borough over the next seven years. The ward areas of Southend set to benefit from the project include Milton, Victoria, St Luke's, Thorpe and Shoebury.

Southend Council is organising an information session next Wednesday at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre in Eastern Avenue, to get local organisations up to speed on the scheme.

The afternoon programme, from 2pm to 4.30pm, includes advice to groups on how to develop a successful project and the best ways to secure funding, under the European Objective Two scheme.

Project manager Vivien Byczynski, from Southend Council, said: "This will be an opportunity for those who have expressed an interest in bidding for money to come along and find out if their project meets the EU criteria.

"To be considered eligible, projects must be able to demonstrate economic benefits for Southend."

David Garston, executive councillor for regeneration and economic development, said: "I hope many business people will support this event.

"It's an excellent chance to find out more about how bidding for Objective Two funding could benefit their organisations, creating much-needed new jobs in the area."

Objective Two is a source of funding targeted at areas which have been seriously affected by industrial decline.

There will also be an opportunity during the information afternoon to meet officials from the Government Office for the East of England, who will be involved in deciding if the projects are eligible for funds.

Anyone interested can call Vivien Byczynski 01702 215538 to book a place.

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