TWO community groups in Bolton have been shortlisted for up to £3,000 in funding.

Maltby Residents Association, a sheltered housing estate in Great Lever and Precious Gems, a charity in Kearsley, are in contention for The Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

They are two of three Bolton-based groups that have been shortlisted for the fund, with the other being Breightmet Wanderers AFC, a junior football club.

The groups will find out whether or not they have been successful before the end of the year.

Precious Gems is a community organisation for those aged over 50 who want to share their arts and crafts skills.

Its members meet every Thursday to design blankets and send them on to different charities, including Siblings Together in London.

The charity is opening a new over 50s project at Halliwell UCAN Centre in Hatfield Road on Friday September 12.

Thandeka Sibanda, co-founder and chairlady of the group, said: “We are really excited to get this funding — it’s amazing.

“Our members represent us so well and we are proud to be part of the community.

“We have a lot of things that we are looking to do — we need more office space and we are setting up a new project.”

Maltby Residents Association, established in 1990, is based in the Maltby Estate, which is off Maltby Drive, Great Lever.

The association supports local tenants with housing or repair issues and run social events such as providing Christmas hampers and organising days out for the elderly.

Margaret Willcock, treasurer of the association, said: “We are delighted. We are a very close-knit community and it would be a brilliant lift if we could get any sort of funding.

“An award would allow us to continue and extend our programme of activities, helping to relieve loneliness and strengthen community spirit.” The Lloyds Bank Community Fund was set up to help people improve their communities by giving grants to 1,400 local good causes in 350 communities.

Groups get grants of £3,000, £2,000, £1,000 or £500 depending on how many votes they receive.

Annette Barnes, from Lloyds, said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support more community groups than ever before across the north to continue their vital work through our community fund.”

Also in the shortlist for the community fund is Chesham Fold Community Centre in Chesham Fold Road, Bury.

Public voting is open until Friday, October 10.

Votes can be cast in Lloyds Bank branches, online, by SMS text message and via Twitter.