KENT County Council has successfully bid for European Funds which will benefit business and community projects in rural areas.

Project leaders from Ashford and Shepway will now have to come up with ideas to win a share of the £1.8milion Leader+ programme. Grants can be awarded for up to half of the project costs.

Some potential projects have already been identified, including the 'wired up' village which will encourage computer use and improve training.

Recycling and community composting schemes, and a 'grey angels' scheme to use the talents of older volunteers' talents are also in the pipeline.

The chair of the mid Kent Leader+ local action group, KCC's Richard King, said: "The county council and its partners are mounting a big drive to regenerate the rural areas across mid Kent from the Isle of Sheppey to Romney Marsh. We have secured over £1.8million in European funds and now we want project leaders to work them up into action for the benefit of their communities."