BENTHAM is in the money thanks to a massive cash boost which will bring in an estimated £1 million to the North Craven market town.

Just six towns have been chosen from across Yorkshire and Humberside to receive a grant from Yorkshire Forward and the Countryside Agency - public bodies funded by Government.

It is hoped the cash will help generate more jobs for Bentham, which is currently dependent on Angus Fire Armour as its sole large employer. Ideas suggested include another small industrial park to bring in new business and provide more employment for locals.

Chairman of Bentham Development Trust and owner of Bentham Sports, Pam Woof, was at the Halifax Agricultural Show on Saturday with Bentham mayor Jean West when the six towns were announced. She told the Herald: "It's a great opportunity. We have been picked out and we do feel very lucky, but we are not unique.

"We are like any other market town suffering from large conurbations and out of town shopping precincts taking people away.

"Although we have got some thriving shops we are always worried that one will go.

"We could benefit from more people living and working in the area. It is no good having a lot of people living in new houses if they work elsewhere as then they tend to shop elsewhere. We want to bring economic businesses to Bentham to provide more jobs."

Bentham will receive an average of £340,000 but it is anticipated each town will benefit from new investment totalling £1 million with more funds coming from organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

It is expected a public meeting will be held in the town to form a regeneration committee which will draw up an action plan for Bentham addressing social, economic, transport, environmental and community needs.

As many local groups and people as possible are needed to get involved, with representatives expected from the town council, industry, the church, youth representatives and traders.

Bill Kennedy, of Bentham Development Trust, said: "This is the biggest sum Bentham has received. It represents a tremendous opportunity but it will mean a lot of co-operation and co-ordination between local groups.

"Bentham is particularly isolated, so far from Skipton, but it is the hub of activity for a lot of villages around."

The six towns chosen for the Market Towns Initiative are pioneering the scheme. The funding is intended to help the towns fight back against the decline of their traditional industries such as agriculture and textiles.

The Craven Herald spoke to young and old people in Bentham and asked what they would spend the million pounds on in their town.

Cathy Townson, 77, of High Bentham said: "I'm handicapped and it would be wonderful if the local buses could be better. You have to go to the hospital or down to Lancaster and you either have to rely on a friend to take you or go by ambulance. Then you have to wait all day and you do lose your independence.

"If there was a bus which also just ran around town, to the station and between Low and High Bentham that would be handy for the elderly to do their shopping in the town or to visit their friends."

And Low Bentham youngsters James Hurtley, 10, his sister, Victoria, 13, and cousin Elizabeth, 15, said they would spend a million pounds building a bowling alley with cinema complex, indoor swimming pool, under 18s caf with pool table, cycle track, an ice rink, new playing field for Low Bentham and a sports centre and gym!