THE Lake District National Park Authority has carried out what it calls "careful budgeting" to make £ 250,000 available for rural recovery.

The money will go towards projects drawn up by community groups and local authorities.

Schemes which will be supported will relate to conservation and care of the countryside, and/or help people enjoy and understand the special qualities of the Lake District National Park.

The money will also support the appointment of a sustainable development officer to give advice and co-ordinate the projects.

"We want to use these funds to connect with others to help the national park," said chief administrative officer Donald Connolly.

"Our budgeting was complicated by foot-and-mouth disease last year but authority members were determined that any surplus should go towards helping the area recover."

The scheme will be in five sections: parish partnership; district partnership; community partnership; county partnership and regional/national partnership.

For more information contact Donald Connolly on 01539-724555.