Community groups are set to benefit  as a train operator makes a large amount of funding available. 

Northern is bringing back its Customer and Community Improvement Fund, offering grants ranging from £2,500 to £20,000. 

Last year, £50,000 was split between 12 community groups, including Bolton CVS and The Hub at Westhoughton.

This year, the train operator is making £100,000 available, double 2023's amount. 

It says it aims to "improve social mobility" to support access to employment and training opportunities. 

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Applications are now open, and will be until June 7. For more information and details of how to apply, visit: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/about-us/customer-and-community-improvement-fund

Carolyn Watson, director of stakeholder and community engagement at Northern, said: “We know social mobility is a major issue for some of the communities across our network.

“The Customer & Community Improvement Fund is a way we can support local people to deliver initiatives and projects that they know will help improve the situation on the ground in those locations.

“This is an important part of our mission to ensure that Northern has a positive impact on the North.”