VOTING opened this week in the first-ever community budget poll in Bucks as Amersham residents were asked how they want £10,000 of public money to be spent.

A total of six project groups from Amersham and surrounding villages are all vying for votes to get a slice of the cash being put forward in the 'Amersham Decides' poll.

The ballot is the brainchild of Buckinghamshire County Council's Amersham Local Area Forum, which has allocated the £10,000 from its local priorities fund.

The two projects which poll the most votes each win £3,000, the next two will be given £1,500 and the final will both get £1,000 each.

Young Carers Bucks, which supports 550 youngsters across the county, Contact the Elderly - an Amersham-based charity that works to prevent social isolation among the over 75s - and the Chiltern Youth Projects mentoring scheme are all on the shortlist.

The Amersham Stroke Support Group, Chiltern Youth Action Street Crew - staffed by young volunteers who offer a gardening service to the elderly - and the Amersham Museum's Listening Project are all also after your vote.

Cllr Martin Phillips, who chairs the Local Area Forum, said: "This project really does give everyone, whatever their age, the chance to have a say in how their money is spent. What's so good is that this is about local people making local decisions for local benefit."

The six projects will be showcased in the square outside St Michael's Parish Church in Sycamore Road on Tuesday, October 7.

Voting forms are available from Amersham Library, Amersham Museum, Chiltern District Council's offices, Coleshill Village Hall and Chesham Bois Parish Council. Ballot boxes are also available at those locations.

Residents can also vote online at www.amershamdecides.com before voting closes on October 31.