Nine councils in Wales are to share nearly £9m to improve natural environments used by local communities. The Create Your Space programme will allow groups to apply for grants to make changes to their local areas or conserve existing sites. The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund and dormant account funding from banks and building societies. Applicants will be able to seek grants from between £500,000 and £2m for a seven-year project.

The council areas are Caerphilly, Conwy, Flintshire, Anglesey, Newport, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham. Details at https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/createyourspace. The application deadline is 31 March.  Book for a briefing at Newport Leisure Centre on 21 January.