GATESHEAD Borough Council is bidding for European funds to help improve meadowland and create employment in Lamesley.

Lamesley ward councillor Nick O'Neil said: "I fully back this bid which could see £150,000 of funding coming in to improve our local environment."

The bid is being made under a partnership which also includes the Great North Forest, the Durham Wildlife Trust, Newcastle University and Northumbria Water. He said: "If successful, almost twenty acres of meadow in Lamesley will be restored to improve wildlife and its historic landscape. Importantly, the project will provide employment opportunities too.