A PILOT project has been launched in a bid to make Bentham a centre of rural excellence.

Bentham was chosen for the case study because of its unique "self sufficiency" for a small market town with a population of around 3,000.

This is demonstrated by the strong tradition of manufacturing and the fact that as a relatively isolated market town, it also sustains a cattle mart.

The scheme, conducted by Yorkshire Forward, a branch of the Government's Regional Development Agency, intends to look for investment opportunities in market towns and make Bentham, and other places like it, a key rural market town and keep it self sufficient for years to come.

After much research, Yorkshire Forward compiled a report setting out a number of priorities that could help sustain the viability of Bentham, as well as create more jobs, businesses and investment opportunities.

The report highlighted a need for additional facilities, including an industrial estate for small to medium sized businesses and workshop units for new businesses.

Steve Dann, Yorkshire Forward's rural policy manager said: "We see this report as a spur to the development of Bentham. The town has potential but needs help to turn ideas into reality."

The report also points out a demand for improved public transport to the town from outlying villages, better recreational facilities for young people and an environmental facelift for the town centre.

Analysis of Bentham's population showed there was particular pressure on facilities for the elderly and households with families.

The report will now be circulated to 30 local organisations for their comments. If there is sufficient support for the proposals, a partnership of interested bodies will get together to make headway with the priority projects.

As a forerunner to the regeneration programme, the Regional Development Agency is contributing £10,000 towards the provision of an amenity area for the community of High Bentham.

Bentham Development Trust is working with Bentham School Hill Community Committee on the project, which aims to regenerate an area at the junction of Main Street and Robin Lane. The area is to be transformed into a public square with disabled access, seating and landscaping.

A mosaic depicting aspects of life in the town will be part of the flooring.

Work has recently started at the site and it is hoped the project will be completed by April.

Maggie Howarth, of Wennington, who has designed the mosaic, will be laying it in early March.

She is hosting an open day so people can go along to see her work in progress. It will take place between 10am and 1pm on Saturday March 11.

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