Shepway District Council and Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh representatives are visiting France next week (March 16 - 18) to help plan the next stages of a part-EU funded programme to benefit rural areas on both sides of the Channel.

The Transmanche Green Network was launched in January at a three-day event staged at venues on the Romney Marsh.

Six organisations - three in Kent, one in France, with the Boulogne Shepway/Canterbury Co-operation Organisation as co-ordinator - representing local authorities, tourism, environmental and educational interests are behind the scheme which aims to increase the prosperity of the Romney Marsh and areas around Reculver, near Herne Bay, and the Arena natural environment education centre, near Boulogne, by encouraging sustainable tourism and conservation activities.

The programme includes familiarisation visits and workshops for tourism staff, eco-fairs in Folkestone, Herne Bay and Boulogne, trans-border media promotion and printed information. 

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010