PEOPLE in County Durham's former mining communities are being urged to back a drive to win more funding for heritage schemes.

Organisations devoted to regenerating the country's former coalfields are concerned that there is a lower-than-average number of applications for funding for projects in these areas.

The Coalfields Heritage Project has been launched by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation to reverse the trend, and is consulting local people.

Rosemary Power, Coalfields Heritage Project coordinator, said: "The Coalfields Heritage Project invites local people to have their say on what heritage is in their area, what we should preserve and enjoy, and what we should pass on to our children and grandchildren.

"It aims to exchange good ideas between coalfield areas on what can be done to use our heritage to the full, and to retain the sense of community that people identify as so important.

"The project also explores ways in which heritage can contribute to economic recovery and the creation of new jobs.

"Applications to the funding bodies for projects in coalfield communities are lower than the national average, in particular for projects involving heritage."

She added: "The Coalfields Heritage Project aims to address this issue and will submit a report with recommendations to the Heritage Lottery Fund in April 2002."

Meetings are being held at Consett on Wednesday and on Thursday at Murton.

To book a place, call Vincent Clements on 0191-477 7242.

People can write in with their views on forms available by ringing Freephone (0800) 0648560