CONSERVATION and research projects across the region could be given a boost through an environmental support scheme being re-launched by Wessex Water.

Organisations are being encouraged to apply to the company’s Partners Programme, which provides financial support to develop projects that benefit the environment within the Wessex Water region.

Wessex Water’s Partners Programme will provide funding to projects between April 2015 and March 2020 and for the first time the programme will have two funding options.

Dave Jones, a regulatory scientist at Wessex Water, said: “We’re excited that for this phase of the programme we’re looking for three or four major projects which will receive funding of between £15,000 and £20,000 annually over the next five years.

“There will also be the opportunity for one or two stand-alone projects to be supported every six months, over the next five years.

For these projects an individual payment of between £2,500 and £5,000 will be available.”

Applications for the major grant award will be open until Friday, December 19 and the first applications for the small grant award will be open from 1 to 30 April 2015. Mr Jones added: “Our partners programme has been running since 1998 and has been really successful in helping to support wildlife linked to the water environment.”

For information email env.info@wessexwater.

co.uk or go to wessex water.co.uk/environment.