A BOURNEMOUTH club is offering community groups and charities the chance to win some or all of a £500 prize pot.

In a pilot scheme by Westbourne Rotary Club, groups will be offered the chance to make a five-minute Dragon’s Den-style pitch to members of the club at their breakfast meeting on Thursday, March 21.

To be eligible, the community group or charity must be a Bournemouth-based group serving Bournemouth people.

They should be managed and run by volunteers only, without any paid staff.

Club president Cheryl Buckler said: “Most of our funding goes to larger charities that have paid staff with the time to engage with us. We would like to see some money going to grassroots groups where a small amount of money can make a real difference. If the pilot is successful, we would hope to make the programme a regular feature.”

To apply, visit westbournerotary.org.uk. Entry closes on Thursday, February 14.

Applicants can apply for running costs, project costs or for equipment.