The Ledbury and Area Regeneration Partnership has put in its final bid for funding to Advantage West Midlands.

If the final bids are successful, the partnership will have drawn £399,000 into the area for the period 2003 to 2005, more than the initial allocation of £300,000.

Partnership chairman Len Huff said: "We've been advised by Advantage West Midlands to put our bids in, and this has been done. There may be sufficient funds to meet our desires."

Large final bids for projects include £10,000 towards a sensory room at Ledbury Community Hospital, to help people who have suffered brain injuries, £20,000 for a review of youth provision in the Ledbury area and £10,000 to pay for a funding officer for Ledbury Poetry Festival.

The officer, if appointed, would have the task of raising funds for the festival, which costs more than £120,000 a year to stage.

The new official would work alongside the festival director Dr Charles Bennett.

Mr Huff said: "It's just a matter of the gurus of Advantage West Midlands agreeing it's a worthy cause and giving it the rubber stamp."

A grant of £15,000 is also being sought to help meet training costs for adult volunteers at Ledbury Community Voluntary Action.