BOLTON'S citizens of tomorrow are being invited to bid for a share of £1m for their schools.

Barclays Plc has launched the latest round of its New Futures scheme which funds school-led community projects.

Hailed as the UK's largest education sponsorship, New Futures awards individual grants of up to £20,000 to 140 schools.

Any secondary school, sixth form college or special school in the Bolton area can apply to the bank for a grant to help fund projects which tackle the issue of citizenship with at least one other partner such as a primary school, business, charity or community group.

Previous Bolton winners include St Joseph's RC High School which was awarded £3,000.

The school ran a Saturday Club for mentally handicapped members of Bolton Junior Gateway Club organising arts, musical and physical projects.

The money enabled students at St Joseph's to produce a video and leaflets addressing the issue of teenage drinkers. It was distributed to other schools and youth clubs as part of a travelling exhibition.

In launching New Futures, Barclays Plc head of community affairs Alice Wilcock said: "We are delighted to offer students and teachers even more support through grants for projects which can feed into the citizenship curriculum."

Bolton schools eligible for New Futures will receive an information pack but extra copies can be obtained by calling 0207 221 7883 or by logging on to www.barclaysnewfutures.co.uk. The deadline for applications is Friday December 14.