COMMUNITY groups, charities, small businesses and parish councils are being offered a share of £100,000 over the next 12 months.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership has launched a Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) to support initiatives run on environmental, social or economic lines.

The SDF is funded by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through the Countryside Agency and complements the partnership's small grants scheme, which has backed 70 projects since 2002.

Grants of between £3,000 and £30,000 are available. Suitable projects could include green energy, sustainable transport, land management, community youth schemes with an environmental or heritage aspect, conservation or sustainable tourism.

Call (01388) 528801 for information or visit, www.north pennines.org.uk