DOZENS of farmers have joined forces in a bid to access more than £2.5m funding set aside to conserve and enhance the environment.

Almost 30 farmers and landowners from the catchment area of the River Skerne attended a meeting at Sedgefield Racecourse to outline ways they could access the Countryside Stewardship’s Facilitation (CSF) Fund, which aims to co-ordinate conservation management.

Attendees also heard details of how they can access part of £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for their Bright Water Landscape Project.

The project will fund work to restore and enhance the natural or historic built environment in the Skerne Catchment and the HLF will work with landowners over the next year to choose projects.

Led by Durham Wildlife Trust, the project covers 200km2 within lowland County Durham and Darlington, focusing on the River Skerne from Hurworth Burn reservoir in East Durham to South Park in Darlington.

The project area includes Great Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Bishop Middleham, Fishburn, Heighington, Brafferton, Barmpton and Darlington. Funding for landscape projects will also be available as part of the project.

It is hoped initiatives will be developed to conserve natural habitats and protect industrial and agricultural sites, as well as educating members of the public.

Jim Cokill, DWT trust director, said: "This is by far the largest project bid DWT has submitted and shows just how well organisations across the region can work together to draw in investment. Bright Water will make a real difference for wildlife and all the other aspects of the landscape’s heritage. We can’t wait to get started."

Ivor Crowther, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North-East, added: "The Bright Water Landscape Project will bring a wide range of people together to celebrate and preserve an even wider range of natural, built and cultural heritage. We are delighted to offer our support to this project and look forward to seeing the plans develop."

For more information contact Tim Sedgewick at Tim.Sedgewick@hhland.co.uk or Susan Hepworth at shepworth@durhamwt.co.uk.