Projects in Orkney have been awarded almost £900,000 in European Regional Development funding (ERDF) this week.

The projects are a Hoy bus/boat public transport service, an enhanced air service to North Ronaldsay, the Scapa Flow wartime trail and a package of Stromness-based projects including renovations to the Commercial Hotel and the proposed recycling village.

The Hoy project and the wartime trail were the highest ranking projects in the Highlands and Islands in the scoring system used to award funding.

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Council Convener Stephen Hagan said: "Orkney Islands Council has been successfully delivering ERDF funded projects for nearly 20 years now, in particular key transport projects such as ro-ro piers and ferries for the isles, the ferry terminal at Hatston and Kirkwall Airport terminal. These projects have all provided significant improvements to the transport network in Orkney.

"I am delighted that we have received funding for two more transport related projects, cementing this Council’s commitment to improving transport links. Both the North Ronaldsay and Hoy projects will make a massive difference to residents and visitors alike."

The European Regional Development Fund was set up 1975 to stimulate economic development in the least prosperous regions of the European Union (EU). As EU membership has grown, the ERDF has developed into a major instrument for helping to redress regional imbalances.

(GK/JM)