MORE than £1m worth of funding has been secured to support the rural economy in the region.

Areas in Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, as well as part of Hambleton District, in North Yorkshire, will benefit from the £1.2m pot awarded under the EU’s Rural Development Programme.

The Tees Valley Rural Community Council, along with Darlington Borough Council, will deliver the fund.

It is the first time the area has received such funding and the programme will be delivered over the next three years.

Among those likely to benefit are rural businesses and small and medium enterprises and farms looking to diversify into other sectors.