10 November 2005 00:00 Hundreds rush for Central Networks’ Christmas lights cash – but still time to apply

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has received hundreds of applications from parish councils for Christmas lighting grants and is encouraging others to get their applications in before deadline day.

The company, which is part of E.ON UK, has a total fund of £20,000 to offer communities and their parish councils to light up villages across the region, with eight grants of £2,500 each up for grabs.

But application forms have to be in by November 14 for parish councils to stand any chance of getting the cash.

Central Networks Customer Operations Manager Phil Wilson said: “We’ve been staggered by quite how popular this has been.

“But what we need to do now is to make sure that everyone who’s been thinking of applying actually gets that form in.

“There’s less than a week now before we start judging and we want everyone to have a fair crack of the whip.”

All parish councils have to do is to fill out a simple application form and tell Central Networks why they would like the support.

Applications forms can be downloaded from Central Networks’ website - www.central-networks.co.uk - or by calling 01332 393802.

The one-off grant can be used to partially or totally pay for new or replacement Christmas lights and decorations.

Parish councils will find out whether they have been successful by November 21.

Ends

Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
•Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information and pictures contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779