MARKET shoppers will help shape the future of scattered dales communities over the next few days, by giving their views on how cash grants should be spent.

People in Weardale are being given a key role in new strategies to improve their lives through a new survey of their economic, social and environmental priorities.

More than £1.25m has been granted to parts of the dale where recent studies have identified pockets of deprivation and isolation, compounded by the effects of foot-and-mouth disease.

Stanhope has already been allocated up to £1m through a market towns initiative, while economic development packages based on population would release at least £80,000 in each of the dale's three council wards: Wolsingham, Stanhope and St John's Chapel.

Before the money can be spent, people living in the dale have to be consulted in a variety of ways.

Residents attending three public meetings called by the Weardale Society, have already produced a catalogue of concerns, including jobs, services, transport, opportunities for young people, agriculture, tourism and leisure facilities.

Now independent consultants Meridienpure are writing a community appraisal, which will form the basis of a regeneration strategy for Weardale.

This will first identify priorities for improvement and then look at how regeneration can be achieved.

Meridienpure says it will place residents' views at the core of the project. A team is visiting Christmas markets at Wolsingham on Saturday and Stanhope next Friday.

The company's managing director, Paul Hammond, said: "Local residents should be playing the lead role in shaping the future of the Wear Valley. If rural communities wait for others to take action, then they are missing out on vital opportunities.

"Where residents see issues as being important, such as childcare, locally-provided services, better community centres and youth clubs with access to the Internet, or others not yet identified, there is no reason why local groups should not be able to develop their own ideas."

For more details of the appraisal, contact Paul Hammond or Nick Clay on (01925) 600060 or e-mail: infoBRICKIE AWARDS: