A GRANT fund set up to support community activities in the aftermath of Brexit has been suspended due to coronavirus.

Oxford City Council has stopped taking applications for a share of its £35,000 grant scheme called #WeAreOxford.

It launched last month in hope of bringing people together to strengthen communities.

A statement issued by the council said: "With the latest government advice recommending social distancing for the foreseeable future, the immediate needs of Oxford’s communities will be better served through other activity that does not focus on physical social gatherings."

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Councillor Marie Tidball, cabinet member for supporting local communities, said: "I want to thank all the organisations who applied for their commitment to strengthening our communities.

"This pandemic highlights how important a sense of community is for us all, but the immediate need is to support people in their own homes and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents.

"We are already seeing communities responding to this crisis in exactly the spirit that the #WeAreOxford campaign aims to promote."

She said the council is working with the Oxford Hub, a volunteer and community organisation, to rally volunteer support for vulnerable people.

Anyone who can help can visit oxfordhub.org.