THE company that owns the Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times is inviting charities to apply for grants.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, owners of News quest Media Group, which publishes regional and local newspapers, websites and magazines across the UK.

The Gannett Foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates.

The funds are managed by the Quartet Community Foundation.

In the last ten years alone, the Gannett Foundation has made grants in the UK alone totalling nearly £4million.

Gary Pearson, editor of the Times said: “We are very excited to offer the chance for local charities to apply for funding.

“As a newspaper, we are in the heart of the community and understand how important these local charities can be to the people who benefit from them.

“This is why we want to give something back and help make our commu - nities better places to live, work and socialise.

Applicants must not have received a grant from us within the last two years and we will not fund political or religious objectives, schools (other than special needs), salaries or day-to-day running costs or general appeals as opposed to specific projects.

The form can be downloaded from echo-news.co.uk

Completed forms must be emailed to Michele.newman@newsquest.co.uk by 5pm on October 9.