THERE is delight in Blakeney after a project to create a community green won a £30,000 grant in a national rural regeneration competition.

Housing group Two Rivers has been supporting the village project team with advice and expertise in applying for the grant from the Big Lottery Fund Village SOS campaign.

The Blakeney Community Green project has brought villagers together in developing ambitious plans for a village nature trail along a tranquil stream and through woodland with a community café, all on land owned by the Blakeney Community Trust. The plans have been brewing for the last two years.

The nature project is just part of a more ambitious plan which includes:

•A children's all weather play area;

•An informal all-weather multi-sport area;

•A BMX area;

•A car park with 40 spaces;

•New changing rooms for the village football team.

Two Rivers' community initiatives officer Jane Cordier, who helped pull the winning bid together, said the Blakeney bunch were amazing group.

"Rural villages like Blakeney may be tranquil and beautiful but the challenges of rural isolation can pose real problems. Rural isolation, lack of transport, jobs and facilities are all problems.

"And this area has one of the widest gaps between income and house prices in the UK. We have over 3,600 homes for low cost rent for local people and are building over 300 new affordable houses over the next few years.

"While decent and affordable homes are the building block of quality of life, it is community life that is the heart of the matter. That is why Two Rivers' ploughs time and effort into supporting people who are taking action to build a brighter future in their communities. We are a part of the community after all.

"Blakeney already has incredible energy and this grant from the SOS Villages fund will help the community do so much more. It's great that we could play a small part in this success," she said.

Project manager Ewart Woolley said Two Rivers' support had been invaluable.

"We have had brilliant support and advice from Two Rivers. Jane has been a rock. The organisation really does put the community first," he said.