TWO former mining communities could be in line for a £7m cash boost.
Hetton and Murton, in east Durham, is one of eight areas invited to submit proposals to the European Commission for grant support from the Urban II programme.
The proposed scheme, Connecting the Coalfield, aims to generate local enterprise and employment in the villages.
Local community groups will be involved in the development and running of the initiative and young people will be encouraged to take part by creating their own training and business projects.
Sunderland City Council chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "Connecting the Coalfield is unique in that it involves the City of Sunderland, Easington District Council, Durham County Council and a host of other local partners.
"This announcement means that we can now forge ahead with work on the bid in the hope of securing final approval from the European Commission and the Government by the end of this year."
An outline programme has already been prepared to show how the European grant could be allocated up to 2006.
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