£2.7m to boost rural communities

The money will fund projects to boost rural communities

A multi-million pound fund to help long-term community projects in Forth Valley and Loch Lomond has been launched.

The Leader programme will make £2.77m available to "innovative" locally-based schemes throughout the area.

So far, seven projects, including plans to create a visitor centre in Carron Valley Forest, have received £300,000 of the funding.

The scheme is being formally launched at Callendar House in Falkirk.

Dereck Fowles, chair of the Local Action Group, said: "Forth Valley and Lomond is an area of contrasts which presents many opportunities from a rural development perspective.

"We want to improve the quality of life of Forth Valley and Lomond's residents by revitalising our local communities and enhancing our local environments."

Among the other projects receiving money are Throsk Community Enterprises who were awarded £84,755 towards the development of the Throsk Hub.

Funding of £43,500 is also being given to the Dunblane Development Trust to help create a community-owned asset on Dunblane High Street.