A major project designed to inspire true community spirit in Bradford was officially launched today.

Shipley-based C2M (Centenary to Millennium) was the only successful bidder in the whole of Yorkshire to win a Millennium Award.

And now the half a million pounds promised a year ago from the Millennium Commission is in the bank and ready.

The organisation's aim is to fund ideas from small numbers of ordinary people with a vision to do something of benefit in their community.

C2M will be giving out more than 100 awards worth between £2,000 and £6,000 in five rounds - starting next May.

An application pack will be available for people by the end of January from the new C2M office in Crag Road, Shipley.

C2M awards manager Ian Harknett said: "The whole C2M project is based on the simple belief that local people know best of all what their communities need and the Millennium Awards are a way of providing money for small, local projects run by local people.

"The awards are not aimed at community activists - we have kept the application procedure as straightforward as possible."

But the project does not want to just be seen as a grant-making body. It will be offering support and encouragement for people with good ideas.

The Rev Geoff Reid, chairman of the C2M executive, said: "We are essentially a catalyst, helping communities to learn from one another.''

To find out if you are eligible, ring (01274) 200028.

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