Cash boost for county's wetlands

The cash will become available for the levels in 2009

The Somerset Levels will receive a £1.8m grant over six years from the Regional Development Agency.

The cash will become available for specific projects - managed by Somerset County Council and its partner agencies - in early 2009.

The area benefiting stretches from Burnham and Highbridge to Martock and South Petherton, including Langport, Street and Glastonbury in the east.

A council spokesman called the grant "terrific news for the levels".

Councillor Alvin Horsfal said: "The funding will help us to enable the area's rural communities to look at new ways of strengthening the local economy and improving quality of life for residents."