A POT of money is being set aside for Winsford residents who are struggling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Winsford Town Council is looking to use the cash to support existing community initiatives or to develop new ones that seek to help those most affected by current events.

At this stage the council needs ideas on where these funds would be of most use from members of the public.

Public events cannot be organised to discuss the cash because of social distancing measures, so Winsford Town Council is collecting ideas online.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe said: “The fund is a fantastic way to get rapid support to those who are delivering vital services to the community.

"It gives Winsford groups additional support on top of what is being offered by CWAC and other organisations."

Winsford Town Mayor Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones said: "This is an unprecedented situation for so many of us and the measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus have left people in financial and other difficulties.

“The Town Council’s Prompt Action Fund is there for people to apply for small amounts of funding in order to allow them to deal with some of the day to day issues caused by this pandemic.

"All Town Councillors are working together in conjunction with Cheshire West and Chester Council to try – as far as we can – to lessen the impact of the current crisis on our community and to make life a bit more bearable for those who are suffering."

Every application will be judged on its merits with limits per application of £250 for individuals and £500 for organisations.

The money is set to come from the £30,000 set aside for participatory budgeting.

Leave your suggestions at winsford.org.uk/discussions/coronavirus-covid-19-fund