Up to £450,000 is up for grabs for charities and community projects in Merton and Wandsworth.

Grants of up to £30,000 per year are now available for community organisations with experience working with local health issues and delivering effective, engaging and well designed projects.

The funding is available from the Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which is aiming to back projects that help people improve their health and wellbeing.

Grants of up to £30,000 per year are available for three year projects. The total fund available to the scheme is £450,000 over three years.

Helen Parker, foundation and community manager said: "We are pleased to be launching the Health and Wellbeing Fund in Merton and Wandsworth.

"We hope the fund will enable effective and engaging projects to take place which will have a positive impact on local health and wellbeing."

Local charities or community interest companies based in Merton or Wandsworth, which have been established for at least two years, are eligible to apply online by May 8.

The foundation is particularly looking for groups which support better health and mental health through social or cultural activities, bringing communities together and those that work with vulnerable people.

For more information and to apply for the Health and Wellbeing Fund, visit the website www.wimbledon.com/foundation/hwfund.