£100,000 grant bonus for green community projects

Distributed by the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund, the aim of the grant money is to secure a more sustainable future for local people, the environment or wildlife.

More than 9,000 has been given to the Stone and Water project in Buxton, to hold family events to help people understand and conserve plant life in the High Peak.

A further 9,000 has gone to the Tideswell Community Interpretation Project, to encourage visitors to spend more time in the village on activities that will help the local economy. This has involved a new tourist information point, panels and self-guided village trails.

The Sustainable Youlgrave project has received 8,350 for an energy efficiency study of the village's churches, village hall and other community buildings and 1,375 has gone to the River of Flowers community group in Bakewell, to be put towards native wildflower habitats along the River Wye.

Another project to benefit is Bradfield in Bloom, which has received 6,600 towards its Crossing the Stream project. This involves reinstating a timber bridge that was destroyed in a flash flood, using sustainable materials and the skills of local craftspeople.

The chairman of the Sustainable Development Fund panel, Harry Bowell, said: "We are grateful to all these Peak District community groups, businesses and individuals who have shown such obvious commitment to improving life in their area, now and in the future."

People can apply for grants of up to 75 per cent of costs for community projects and 50 per cent for business projects.

Other schemes to benefit include those in High Green, Penistone and Greenfield.