Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards - now in their third year of funding - were launched recently.

The bank will make donations to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations in each of the three categories: financial education, employability and environment.

Awards are open to a range of organisations across the third sector who can demonstrate their support for the local community.

This includes groups promoting access to financial education, helping to train people for the workplace or aiming to improve and protect the environment.

There will be an overall winning group in each of the three categories which will secure £10,000 of funding, along with three highly commended that will each be awarded £5,000.

Debbie Crosbie, of Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said: “Our Spirit of the Community Awards aim to recognise and support the invaluable contribution that voluntary and charitable organisations make to their local communities and there’s still time for groups in Ayrshire to enter the awards.

“The standard of entries last year was fantastic and we look forward to continuing our support for local communities again this year.” Clydesdale Bank’s sister organisation, Yorkshire Bank, will also award £75,000 to local organisations as part of the programme. This brings the total funds available for community groups up and down the country to £150,000.

Visit www.cbonline.co.uk/foundation or go into their local Clydesdale Bank branch for an application form.

The closing date for applications is Friday, March 6, and the winners will be announced this summer.

One of last year's beneficiaries was a project in Glasgow called PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) which received £5,000, and brings children, young people, families and communities together to raise awareness of living in a more eco-friendly way.