A free event is being held to promote the LEADER scheme, which has awarded more than £2 million to community-led projects in the Yorkshire Dales since June 2009.

Its aim is to improve the quality of life and prosperity in rural communities through locally driven rural development initiatives.

The event will be held on Wednesday and will include presentations from the Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) on its new geology project ‘Geo Dales, The Swaledale Project and the Gayle Mill Heritage, Education and Skills Project.

There will also be an opportunity to find out about the future plans for LEADER and the Rural Development Programme Funding.

The event will take place at Gayle Mill – an iconic restored 19th century sawmill on the edge of Hawes – from 1.30pm to 4pm and places can be booked by contacting Rima Berry on 015242 51002 or email rima.berry@ydmt.org.