More groups and organisations in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be able to get financial help to launch projects, thanks to a Government pot of cash.

Rural Affairs Minister Jonathan Shaw has announced that a £200,000 Sustainable Development Fund (SDF), has been given the go-ahead for the next three years. The scheme has already been running for six years.

To date, nearly £1million has been awarded to 96 projects. In turn the funding has attracted about £2.5 million of match funding.

Moya Turrell, the national park's sustainable development officer, said: "We are especially interested in projects that test new ideas and promote best practice and that involve young people or encourage links between people from different backgrounds.

"We will also consider schemes from outside the national park as long as they show a clear benefit to the area."

Among the projects already part funded is a three-year scheme to assess brown trout stocks and another project aims to supply locally-sourced hardwood timber beams and posts for restoration and renovation schemes.

Any organisations, individuals or businesses wanting application forms and further details about SDF funding for 2008/09 should contact Isobel Hall on (015242) 51002 or email her at isobel.hall@ydmt.org. The first round deadline for funding is 15 February.

Details and application forms are also available on the YDNPA website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk.