YOUNG people with a talent for sports or the arts have the chance to land a financial award to boost their skills.

Epping Forest District Council is inviting applicants for its annual Arts and Sports Awards, which offer a grant of £500 to £1,500 to help recipients develop their skills.

Entrants must be aged between 13 and 25 and live in the district or, if at college or university, return home to the area in the holidays.

Sports applicants must compete at county, regional or national level, while music candidates must be at grade eight level if a jazz or classical musician or be receiving public or professional recognition for their work in other genres.

Visual and performing arts entrants should be studying at higher education level or receiving public or professional recognition.

The closing date for applications is December 1 and shortlisted entrants will be invited to an interview in January.

  • Application forms can be downloaded from www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk. For more information, call 01992 564561 or email csreception@eppingforestdc.gov.uk.