VILLAGE communities which are interested in bidding for European grants, have been invited to a meeting this week.

The whole of Richmondshire qualifies for cash under the Objective 2 heading, that has replaced the Objective 5b programme, which only targeted hill country areas.

However, county and district councillor, Michael Heseltine, was concerned some communities may be unaware of the changes.

As a result, he has arranged a public meeting at the Gilling West Village Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow, where county council experts will give presentations and be available to answer questions.

"The purpose of the meeting is for representatives of local people to be informed so they can decide whether they wish to follow up any opportunities which exist together," said Councillor Heseltine.

"I hope each parish council will be represented together with others who might wish to be involved in promoting schemes of economic regeneration and community development.

"There is a lack of knowledge and quite a lot of misinformation around, even when it comes to accessing the funding - such as finding matched funding," he said.