A SEARCH has been launched to find good ideas that will benefit communities in the North Pennines.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is offering funding to turn ideas into reality through its Sustainable Development (SDF) and Small Grant Funds (SGF).

The two funds, which are provided by Defra, will make tens of thousands of pounds of funding available to community organisations, charities, businesses, parish councils and public bodies in the coming year.

These grants will build on success in previous years that has seen over 200 projects supported through similar funding from the AONB Partnership.

Eddie Tomlinson, Chairman of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to advance sustainable development in the AONB, to the benefit of current and future generations of local people and visitors.”

Initiatives that are based within or benefit the North Pennines AONB, which aim to support environmental, social and economic prosperity could be eligible for funding usually between £1,000 and £7,000 from the SDF, or, £300 and £1,000 from the SGF.

Applicants for the SDF will initially be asked to fill in an Expression of Interest form to be returned by Tuesday, January 15.

For more information, contact Simon Wilson at the AONB Staff Unit on 01388-528801, email simon@northpenninesaonb.org.uk or visit www.northpennines.org.uk -