More than half a million pounds is to be ploughed into the Kelvin Valley following a successful bid by East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire Councils to the EU-funded LEADER programme.

The massive £530k cash boost will be used over the next three years to fund a variety of initiatives and activities by community groups in the Kelvin Valley which stretches through the north of the two Council areas.

A Local Action Group (LAG) has been established by the two Councils with representation from a number of influential agencies including Scottish Enterprise, the Forestry Commission, British Waterways, Central Scotland Forest Trust and Historic Scotland as well as a number of local community groups. The LAG will meet for the first time later this month.

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Councillor John Dempsey, Vice Convener of East Dunbartonshire's Development and Environment Committee, supported the bid when it was submitted last autumn and is thrilled that it has been successful and that the Councils have attracted this huge investment to the area.

He said: "Coming hard on the heels of the announcement that the Antonine Wall now has World Heritage Status, this is more excellent news for East Dunbartonshire. This money will give us an opportunity to build on the tourism potential of the Wall and our other assets such as the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Campsie Fells.

"Our officers will be involved with the new LAG to work with community groups who have ideas on how they could improve a particular area. I look forward to the delivery of a number of important projects over the coming years and to working in partnership with our colleagues in North Lanarkshire to enhance our shared environment and heritage."

(GK/JM)