A SCHEME to aid rural areas has resulted in projects worth £5.3m being carried out in the North York Moors National Park.

More than 350 community ventures in 172 villages have been completed thanks to the European Union’s LEADER grant scheme.

The four-year programme ends in March with a track record for being one of the best performers in the country.

“It has funded arts festivals, apprenticeships, a quoits pitch, restored old buildings, helped a community orchard and even turned an old phone box into a quirky village library,” said David Renwick, the park’s director of conservation.

The programme has also provided funding for the national park tourism network, a group of 150 businesses which work together to encourage more visitors. A key project within the community-driven programme was the traditional estate crafts apprenticeship scheme, which received £24,000.

The Helmsley-based park authority joined forces with six local country estates, the University of York and English Heritage to provide three apprentices with heritage conservation work skills.

The LEADER programme, which is an integral part of the park’s conservation department, has secured a further £36,000 from Defra to research and develop a new plan.

“For any new LEADER programme, there will need to be a strong link with the growth agenda of the Local Enterprise Partnerships, so looking for ways to support sustainable growth in the local economy will be important,” said Mr Renwick.