UP TO £150,000 is available to help revitalise the economy of rural County Durham by re-using empty buildings.

The Redundant Building Grant scheme was set up to convert disused buildings for business purposes.

The money comes from the regional development agency One NorthEast and the County Durham Economic Partnership.

Success stories so far include The Store, in Dipton, near Stanley, where the former Co-operative building is being transformed into a Healthy Living Centre and theatre.

But officers at Durham County Council, which manages the scheme, are concerned they will have to return the remaining money if there are no more applications by the end of the financial year.

Project officer Kirstie Dennis said: "We are looking into the possibility of having to hand the money back, but we are hoping that won't be the case."

The money is also available to farmers, either to improve the sustainability of their farm, or to provide commercial facilities and local employment.

One firm to benefit is The Smithy, on the Mortham Estate, near Barnard Castle, where a redundant smithy was converted into an iron and steel fabrication business called Rokeby Forge.

It was set up by Rob Walton and Jonathan Robson, whose parents are both tenant farmers on the estate.

The scheme runs to the end of March 2004. Applications must be made before work starts. Grants are available from £2,500 to £62,500, up to a quarter of the overall cost.

For details or application forms call Kirstie Dennis or Anne Magee on 0191-383 4349.