A PIONEERING project which provides access to the Yorkshire Dales for disabled visitors was presented with a major award this week.

The Beamsley Project has received the BT Countryside for All Yorkshire and Humber award, which recognises its efforts to ensure people with disabilities can get the best from the local countryside and attractions.

Based in a converted Methodist Chapel off Harrogate Road in Beamsley, the project was launched in 1985 by members of the Methodist circuit, and now provides holiday accommodation for disabled people and their carers.

Wesley Hydes, chairman of The Beamsley Project, explained: "We had a redundant church building complex and a few of us got together and decided to do something about it.

"We eventually became a charity and have raised £607,000 up to now."

The money has been used to complete phase one of the project, which involved major refurbishment work to create bedrooms, a dining room and kitchen, all adapted for use by disabled people.

The trustees are now looking to raise a further £300,000 to complete the next phase, which includes refurbishing a cottage for use by families.

The Countryside for All award was presented to the project trustees by Lord Hartington on Tuesday.

"We are proud of what we have achieved, and this is the first recognition we have had," said Mr Hydes.

The Countryside for All scheme is managed for BT by the Fieldfare Trust, a national charity, and extensive research has been used to produce a standards and guidelines publication relating to disabled people's access to the countryside.

Schemes which achieved the standards were considered for the award and The Beamsley Project will now be promoted locally and nationally as an example of good practice.

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