A NEW community-led approach to access European funding has officially been launched in East Durham - making it easier for rural businesses and farms to access the support they need to expand and grow.

East Durham Leader was unveiled at event at Shotton Hall, Peterlee attended by a number of stakeholders, key partners and potential applicants from the area.

Decision making is held at grass roots level by a Local Action Group (LAG), and is made up of community representatives who steer the direction and establish the priorities of the fund.

Andrew Thompson, a local farmer with a composting business who is chairman of the East Durham LAG, said: "Leader offers a great opportunity to make a difference in east Durham. "Its timely arrival gives us a chance to work closely with colleagues in the Local Authority, as we move towards a Unitary Council.

"Now is a time of great change in the area, and we hope that Leader funding will be directed at projects that will benefit and support both social and economic enhancements in East Durham."

Adrian Sherwood, RDPE Manager at One North East, said: "The Leader programme offers a unique opportunity for farms, businesses and rural communities to access funding, which is particularly important in the current economic climate."

The Leader office in Wheatley Hill is now open for business, with expressions of interest and full applications now being developed.

The Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, with the aim of delivering targeted support to rural businesses and communities. It is managed in the region by One North East, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

For more information on RDPE in North East England, visit: www.rdpenortheast.co.uk