THE Prince of Wales yesterday heard how a scheme he launched to help deprived and isolated rural areas has become a lifeline to local people.

Just hours before he was due to undergo surgery for a hernia injury, the prince hosted a seminar at his Gloucestershire estate, Highgrove, which highlighted the success of the Dales Action for Local Enterprise (Dale). Since its launch at Hawes, North Yorkshire, in 1999, the Dale project has tackled under-employment and unemployment for 18 to 30-year-olds in the Yorkshire Dales.

Project organisers are aware that many young people in remote rural areas are disadvantaged by the lack of job and business opportunities. Through financial and training support Dale has already provided support to more than 60 businesses. It has successfully created 80 jobs in the Yorkshire Dales.

At the seminar, Rebecca Morgan, 31, of Grinton, Swaledale, spoke of her success having set up Principal Teachers at her home - a business that provides supply teachers to local schools.

The mother-of-five said the financial help and support from the Prince's Trust was invaluable and she now has an annual turnover of £85,000.

"I had a lack of support from city banks who didn't understand the difficulties rural businesses faced trying to set themselves up," she said.