Allendale in bid for lottery money

The final six villages will then appear in a BBC series charting their progress.

Sustainable Allendale has been awarded a grant of £10,000 to develop its business proposal before the final six are chosen next year.

The Sustainable Allendale Food and Energy (SAFE) project would create a market garden and renewable energy plant near the centre of the village.

Greenhouses would be powered by a biomass boiler, solar panels and wind turbines and any surplus energy would be used by two nearby schools, a health centre, library and village hall.

Local shops and pubs would buy the market garden's produce. Employment, training and volunteering opportunities offered on site would lead to the development of other local enterprises such as biodiesel, shared transport schemes and community-led health and social care.

David Stewart, on behalf of Sustainable Allendale, said: "This is super news for the people of Allendale. To appear on the shortlist for the Village SOS programme is a great boost. We couldn't be more pleased to reach this stage and will work to make the best of the opportunity given to us."

In May next year, the final six villages will be announced. Experienced business professionals - known as Village Champions - will then live and work for a year with the final six villages selected for filming for a BBC series charting the ups and downs for the community schemes.

James Turner, Big Lottery Fund head for the North East, said: "Sustainable Allendale is in the running to secure up to £400,000 of lotto money to transform the fortunes of its area. I am pleased to see such an exciting idea make the shortlist but now the hard work begins."