A CALL has gone out to people living in the Wessex area urging them to make a bid for cash to help set up projects designed to create or improve wetland habitats.

Bids for cash ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 are being sought by the Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust for its annual Environmental Awards, a scheme run in conjunction with Tesco Stores Ltd.

The charitable trust was formed in 1992 by a volunteer group of like-minded individuals such as anglers, riparian owners, river managers, scientists and environmentalists.

The scheme is aimed primarily at the younger generation, but groups of older people are eligible to apply. The judges will be looking for projects that focus on nature conservation, sustainable water use and improving existing waterways.

Projects could include creating a school pond or wildlife sanctuary, clearing a stream or designing a scheme to save rainwater.

Last year’s successful applicants included Burgate School in Fordingbridge, Wylye Valley Codford School and Morgan’s Vale Primary School in Redlynch, while grants also went to the Tolpuddle Community Association, Minstead Study Centre in the New Forest and Bournemouth and Poole College.

The scheme is limited to applications from Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset and the 2009 bids will be judged during March 2010. The deadline for applications is the end of February 2010 and the lucky winners will be presented with their cash next April.

Pete Reading, spokesman for the trust, said: “The primary objectives of the trust are the advancement of education and research into the conservation and restoration of lowland river habitats.

“With the increasing pressure on our fragile aquatic environment, the trust, in association with Tesco, has formulated this initiative to encourage and support projects aimed at either creating or reinstating areas of our diminishing wetland habitats.”

Applications should be sent to Mr Reading at 17 Mayford Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 1PT or e-mail to: tescoaward@wsrt.org.uk.