MORE than 30 jobs could be created in Weardale thanks to a £650,000 scheme to attract new businesses to the area.

It is hoped the expansion of an already popular craft and business centre will see 12 new firms set up shop in the dale.

Money from OneNorth East, Durham County Council and the European Regional Development Fund will fund building work at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope.

Included in the scheme are nine office units, meeting rooms and exhibition areas, plus the refurbishment of three offices and improved disabled access.

The development will help revive parts of the dale still recovering from the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the closure of the Blue Circle Cement works in August.

Councillor Brian Walker, cabinet member for business support at Durham County Council, said: "The Durham Dales Centre was established to help rural communities to access business support and training.

"The foot-and-mouth crisis last year has made the need for locally provided support, modern business premises, and development and training opportunities even more pressing, and the Dales Centre is a focus for these opportunities. The new facilities will complement existing support and will help the future strategic development and regeneration of the economy of upper Weardale."

Linda Edworthy, Durham County Council's economic policy team leader, said: "Hopefully this move will attract more modern businesses and create job opportunities in the dale, which are needed all the more with the forthcoming closure of Blue Circle.

"We plan to introduce broadband technology so businesses can use the most up-to-date facilities, which we hope will keep young people in the area."

David Slater, director for competitiveness and Europe at the Government office for the North-East, said: "In the Durham Dales, not only they, but their disabled customers will benefit, as well as the wider rural community."

Along with business and training facilities the centre includes a visitor centre, tourist information centre, local crafts, Durham Dales exhibition and The Dales Garden, a recently restored typical Weardale cottage garden.