A SCHEME aimed at boosting education, training and leisure activities in the Elan Valley has won funding of £1.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Elan Links project, which has been developed by a range of groups including Community Arts Rhayader and District, Dwr Cymru and Tir Coed, is a six-year scheme which will operate different projects under two themes - Securing and Safeguarding Elan’s Heritage, and Elan for People.

That will see maintenance and restoration of heritage sites, conservation of sites in the valley, providing training courses and activity days, and improving recreational facilities in the Elan Valley.

Overall, the scheme will see investment of more than £3m across the six years.

The first year will see funding of £85,000 from the HLF to draw up detailed plans through the Elan Links Partnership Board. Funding of £800,000 has also been agreed from the Elan Valley Trust.