Time running out on £50,000 windfall

Residents living in part of Salford are being asked to help spend a £50,000 windfall before it's too late.

A government grant to improve home security has to be spent by the end of the month or whatever is left will have to be handed back.

A coalition of residents' groups applied for the Home Office cash which helps pay for home security improvements in the M3 postcode area.

Bridgewater Residents Association, Vertical Villages, the Residents Association of Richmond Hill and the Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association jointly administer the fund locally.

Residents living in the homes covered by their associations are eligible to apply for grants to cover anything from new locks on doors and windows to spy-holes, door-chains and alarm checks.

The fund also covers special marking equipment which enables residents to put a "DNA stamp" on their personal property, making it easier to recover if it is stolen.

Salford City Council's lead member for community safety, Cllr David Lancaster said: "It would be such a shame if this hard-won cash has to be handed back just because not enough people have applied for their share of it.

"I would encourage anyone who wants to improve the security of their home to contact the residents' associations and see what help they can get from the fund."

Online information about the scheme is available at the following websites:
www.bridgewater-residents.org.uk
www.verticalvillages.co.uk
www.theislingtonestate.com

Or email:
info@verticalvillages.co.uk