SETTLE students are to bridge the generation gap with an award-winning project.

A £7,000 award from Barclays Bank and a £6,000 donation from Booths supermarkets will pay for three years of community workshops involving young and older people in Settle.

The Settle Intergeneration Project aims to provide opportunities for different members of the community to share skills and undertake a range of joint initiatives. These will include workshops on art, drama, music, poetry, sport and rural skills such as dry-stone walling.

The project will challenge stereotypes by encouraging all ages to get involved. The hope is that barriers between the ages can be broken down and participants can learn from each other.

A team of students from Settle High School and Settle and Giggleswick Primary Schools will co-ordinate the project, which is being planned in conjunction with Age Concern North Craven.

At the end of the first year, a two-day family summer camp is planned, followed by a community festival in the second year and the publication of a book on the project in its final year. Throughout the three years a regular newsletter will appear, produced by the students.

Settle High School and Community College is one of 102 schools across the UK to be awarded a Barclays New Futures Award, which aims to promote a sense of citizenship in young people. Booths supermarkets have donated a further £6,000 to the venture, allowing it to continue for a third year as well as increasing the range of activities offered.

Chief officer for Age Concern North Craven, Sue Mann, said the charity was delighted to take part in a scheme bringing older and younger people together. "So often they have a very stereotypical view of what the other group is like and this stops them from building up good relationships which they can all benefit from."

Project co-ordinator Brin Best added: "Exciting plans are now being made for the autumn when the project will begin and we are eager to hear from members of the community who would like to suggest potential workshops or could offer their services in running a workshop."

Anyone who can help or would like to be put on the mailing list for the newsletter, can ring Mr Best on 01729 822451.