LOCAL groups in Teesdale are being urged to take advantage of funding for rural transport projects.

More than £5,000 is available from the Teesdale Rural Transport Partnership to help people fund local transport initiatives in the dale.

But time is running out for applications for the funding, which needs to be used before the end of March.

A maximum of £1,000 is available to successful applicants, to cover up to 75 per cent of the costs of one-off projects, with the remainder of the money coming from financial contributions, goods in kind or volunteer time.

The grant can be used for volunteer driver training, marketing transport schemes, providing information about local transport or projects including car-sharing, taxi buses, community minibuses or dial-a-ride schemes.

All community and commercial organisations, and parish and town councils, are eligible to apply for the grants, but priority will be given to non-profit-making organisations.

All the projects must be sustainable, clearly needed in the community they serve, and should benefit residents of Teesdale.

Anyone wishing to apply for a grant should contact Chris Graham, of Durham County Council's public transport unit, on 0191-383 3394.