Northumberland County Council has awarded £55,000 in support of 17 innovative environmental initiatives across the region.

The funding comes from the council's Environment and Climate Fund.

The council’s Climate Change Team handpicked the projects from 35 submissions after a substantial evaluation process.

The successful projects aim to address a variety of concerns, such as emission reduction, the promotion of community engagement and education, the enhancement of energy efficiency in buildings, and the improvement of waste solutions.

Northumberland County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Glen Sanderson said: "I’m very proud to see the number of exceptional projects come through our Northumberland Climate and Environment Fund.

"These initiatives demonstrate the passion and dedication of our local communities to enhance the county’s natural environment and combat climate change to create a more resilient and sustainable future for Northumberland.

“I look forward to seeing these projects come to life.”

Among the successful projects are Greener Berwick's Repair Cafe, Miscreations Theatre's creative workshops, Holy Island Village Hall's battery storage system, and Transition Tynedale’s voluntary repair café. These projects, along with the others, reflect the council's commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement.

Another successful project is the hiring of two professional volunteer organisers and an administrator for Sycamore Gap Net Zero.

The Northumberland Climate and Environment Fund is in alignment with the recently adopted Environment Policy Statement.

The policy emphasises the importance of raising awareness and active involvement from individuals, communities, and businesses throughout the county in environmental initiatives.