YOUNG people who have to leave the Tamar Valley area due to a lack of work, housing and leisure opportunities are the special target of a bid for upwards of £750,000 of European regeneration funding.

The bid is being submitted by the Tamar Valley Countryside Service in partnership with West Devon Borough Council for Tavistock and the sector covering the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A report of the proposal was presented to the Tamar Valley Partnership Committee, which comprises 25 organisations including district, borough and county councils for the area plus organisations such as English Nature, wildlife trusts and tourist bodies.

Neil Burden, chair of the Tamar Valley Partnership, said rural areas were being forced to change.

'We need to make sure that all ingredients are in place to ensure that young people have the skills and work to stay in their communities,' he said.

The money — which, if approved, will be available from 2002 — will be used to develop the local economy, environment and communities in a sustainable way.

In addition to helping provide for the younger members of the community, the money will be used to help make local produce and services more competitive, help local businesses market their products more effectively, and use the Internet, newsletters and the media to spread information about the area, its products and local opportunities.

It is also intended to help local communities and groups develop their skills, to build a stronger identity for the Tamar Valley and raise awareness of the local area and its produce.

The manager of the Tamar Valley Service, Tim Selman, said the Tamar Valley historically had a strong food, forestry and horticultural sector.

'This money will help local businesses in those sectors make the most of many people's interest in buying local food and produce and will help with the marketing and promotion of the products and the local area,' he said.

The bid is for funding from the European Leader+ programme. Around £34-million has been allocated to England for the period 2001-2006, the funding to be administered by DEFRA, and any projects receiving funding will have to find a similar amount from other sources.

Local residents and businesses interested in finding out more about the Tamar Valley bid or who wish to comment on the best use of funds should contact Mr Selman on 01822 610676.