Two areas of Kent including the Romney Marsh are set to benefit from European money.

The areas - the Romney Marsh and Reculver - and the Arena educational centre near Boulogne are set to benefit from a project part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund to develop their potential for 'green tourism' and to improve the management of their distinctive natural environment.

Five partners - the Boulogne Shepway Co-operation Organisation (BOSCO), Shepway District Council, Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh, Canterbury City Council and the Kent Wildlife Trust - are engaged in the scheme, worth 400,000 euros in grant aid.

Visiting the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Plans to make the three areas better known include a cross-border media promotion programme, familiarisation events and workshops for tourism staff, 'green tourism' fairs in Folkestone, Reculver and Boulogne as well as activities to encourage visits by school groups and independent holidaymakers and leisure seekers.

To inaugurate the familiarisation programme, representatives of tourism, environmental and educational organisations and local authorities from both sides of the Channel attended a three-day event at venues on the Romney Marsh last week.

BOSCO+ manager Lynn Dockar said that the 26 participants had voted their Marsh experience as 'hugely successful'.

During their stay they had travelled on a the specially commissioned RMDH train, visited Dungeness, nature reserves, ancient churches and other landmarks and attended seminars, workshops and presentations by local experts

"Everybody who took part was confident that the scheme would create greater awareness of the unique natural and cultural attractions of the Marsh and thereby contribute to its economic prosperity and environmental wellbeing. Similar events are to be held at Arena in March and Reculver in May".