SUN Valley is inviting local charities to apply for financial support by the end of the month.

For 20 years, Sun Valley Foods has offered support to local charities as part of its annual corporate donation scheme.

The call for applications follows a company-wide poll to select charity categories to which support should be offered.

Results were so close that funding will be divided between a number of charity sectors including health, in particular cancer, the elderly and local hospices, children's education, environment and the community and the disabled.

Sun Valley says it welcomes requests from local charities that fall into the chosen sectors, which need financial support for projects and equipment.

Charities can send requests for an application form to Amy Burgess, Sun Valley Press Office, Storm Communications, 42 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7PB, by the end of August.

The local food manufacturer sets aside a significant amount of money every year for both large and small donations to local charities. Selection will be based on the most deserving requests received from Herefordshire and Wolverhampton, where Sun Valley is also a major employer.

The company also runs a 'matched' donation scheme where employees who have raised money for good causes can apply to the company to have the collection matched, to a maximum of £100.

Sun Valley's charity co-ordinator, Jane Melton, said: "Even after 20 years of the charity donation scheme it is just as important to everyone at Sun Valley. As a large local employer it is important that we support local people and their needs.

"The voting system makes the scheme personal to all employees and therefore we all look forward to receiving applications."