A PROJECT that aims to strengthen and regenerate the rural economy across North West Devon has secured more than £3-million in funding.

The LEADER+ project has been given £2-million from the European Union and a further £1-million from DEFRA to invest in the enhancement of local rural communities.

The 97 parishes eligible for the money fall within the whole of the Torridge District and the southern half of the North Devon District and will include Winkleigh, Broadwoodwidger, Merton, Halwill, Petrockstowe, Shebbear, Sheepwash and Virginstowe.

The money will be used to fulfil five different objectives:

l Encouraging leadership and teamwork especially assisting the younger generation into business through harnessing the skills of the older generation

l Developing the external and home marketplace for agricultural produce and craft products by creating new networks and outlets

l Bringing tourism and agriculture together to open up the countryside to both locals and visitors alike

l Improving local skills and abilities and overcoming the problems of access to learning in rural areas

l Working together and sharing ideas with other rural areas in other parts of the UK as well as in Europe and beyond

The Northern Devon Regeneration Company will be established to administer the funds which will receive support from both Torridge District Council and North Devon District Council.

North Devon District Council's economic development officer Robin Makeig-Jones, who wrote the bid that ensured Northern Devon secured the money, said: I'm absolutely delighted that all our hard work has paid off. But now is not a time to rest on our laurels. We must get on with putting this money to good use so the countryside feels the benefits as soon as possible.'

Mr Makeig-Jones said there were a lot of initiatives around at the moment to help the area in the wake of foot and mouth and some people were getting very confused and bemused by it all.

'The difference with this project is that it will build on the existing Torridge LEADER II Programme which financed things like the Holsworthy Biogas Project and the electronic identification of livestock, the tourist information centre at Torrington and marine lifeguard facilities at Westward Ho!,' he said.

The Northern Devon Regeneration Company will have to find 33% of the cost of projects through the public and private sector but hopes it may be able to use some of the cash from the the South West Regional Development Agency's Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, which has earmarked many millions of pounds for the area.

The office for the regeneration company will be based in Bideford and there will be information available soon on the North Devon and Torridge District Council websites.

Mr Makeig-Jones said a framework had been set up to make it simple and informal to access funding — and with a staffed project office it would be a one-stop shop to get all the information.

The scheme in Devon is one of 24 across England to be selected for a share of the £32 million pounds of European funding.

LEADER is the acronym for the French title 'Liaison Entre Actions pour le Developpement de L'Economie Rural (links between actions for the development of the rural economy).

To find out more contact Torridge Council's economic development officer on 01237 428708 or the LEADER office on 01237 426552.