Rural interest groups will today get their chance to further improve the roll-out of the Scottish Government's flagship rural development programme.

The £1.6 billion Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) aims to develop thriving rural communities and businesses fit for the modern era.

The biggest part of the programme - Rural Priorities - has already attracted over 1,700 ideas and proposals.

Today's stakeholder meeting gives representatives of farming, crofting, forestry and environmental interests the chance to help the Government iron out some remaining issues and make sure as many people, businesses and communities get their chance to access the cash.

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Minister for Environment Michael Russell said: "The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is one of the most forward thinking, innovative rural investment programmes in the world.

"We have now received over 1,700 ideas and proposals under the Rural Priorities part of SRDP. This shows that the online application system is accessible to very many people and that it is clearly capturing the imagination of rural Scotland.

"However we accept there have been some teething problems and we need to sort things out. Richard Lochhead and I have been visiting rural communities and agricultural shows during the summer and are acutely aware of the importance of getting this right.

"Today's meeting is a direct result of that feedback and underlines our commitment to supporting rural communities and the industries that underpin the rural economy."

(GK/JM)