A BUSINESS forum has been awarded funds to help it promote a rural area still recovering from the foot-and-mouth disease crisis.

The Upper Teesdale Business Forum (UTBF), which represents businesses in Upper Teesdale, County Durham, has been awarded £12,500 to promote the area to a wider public.

The grant has been awarded through the British Hospitality Association from the Small Business Service's Phoenix Development Fund for Rural Regeneration.

The forum is free to spend the money on suitable projects which can include marketing, advertising, training, and sponsorship.

Membership of the UTBF is open to all businesses in the Upper Teesdale area, including Baldersdale and Lunedale, and all are welcome to add their voice to any issues regarding the forum.

A steering group has been set up to get the project off the ground and links have been established with Teesdale Marketing.

Members of the forum have also met travel trade expert Martin Evans to find out how the UTBF can encourage more people to visit the dale and boost the local economy.

For further information about the UTBF, which is based in the Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, call (01833) 640467.