Community groups and businesses in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being urged to bid for funding to help them start local projects.

Park bosses still have more than £50,000 to give to support schemes that promote a more sustainable way of visiting, living in and working in the park.

There are two funding rounds available this financial year and closing dates for applications will be November 28 and January 30, with decisions being made on January 23 and March 20 respectively.

Peter Stockton, the national park’s head of sustainable development, said: “The Sustainable Development Fund aims to achieve a more sustainable way of living and working in the national park, at the same time enhancing and conserving our local culture, wildlife, landscape, land use and communities.

“It supports new business ideas, community schemes and environment projects and, so far this year, it has given approximately £100,000 to 13 projects, which is a fantastic achievement.

“There is still money left for new projects that will benefit people in the national park.”

The SDF was launched in July 2002 and is funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and among the groups helped is a community renewable energy project in Clapham, improved educational facilities at Malham Youth Hostel and promotion of accessible walking routes in Wharfedale.

For more information visit yorkshiredales.org.uk, e-mail gillian.muir@ydmt.org or telephone (01524) 251002.