Communities in Surrey will benefit from a £750,000 fund announced by Surrey County Council leader David Hodge today.

Mr Hodge used a meeting of the Full Council to reveal the new Community Improvement Fund that will allow residents to bid for money to help improve their local areas.

In his speech at County Hall, Mr Hodge said: "The fund will provide £750,000 to projects that promise to improve local areas, make a real difference to people's lives and strengthen the ability of residents to independently enhance where they live.

"It may be a local community group wanting to a build a community centre or a parish council wanting to create an allotment site. Whatever the idea, they will now have the opportunity to realise their aspirations.

"My vision for Surrey is one where we all work together – whether we are a council, a voluntary group or a business. We should see ourselves as One Team working to make a real difference to the lives of people in Surrey."

People can bid for between £10,000 and £50,000.

To read a transcript of Mr Hodge's speech or watch a video of him talking about the plans, visit news.surreycc.gov.uk. An audio recording of the speech will also be available.