BENTHAM is set to benefit from an £18,000 financial boost for a project designed to increase the number of visitors to the town.

The Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group has awarded £18,075 to Craven District Council for a successful application submitted on behalf of Bentham Town Team.

It will be used to create a system of clear pedestrian signage throughout the town in a bid to improve the visitor experience, encourage visitors to fully explore the town’s attractions and support the local shops, and to draw in more visitors.

Following an initial survey of 53 existing signs in Bentham, at least 30 were found to be unnecessary, were causing distractions and making the town appear chaotic.

Rima Berry, the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Co-ordinator, said: “The Bentham Town Team is a proactive group of individuals and local businesses who are keen to enhance Bentham and generate more tourism for the town.

“This funding will allow a simple and clear pedestrian signage structure to be installed, bringing long-term benefits to the local economy.”

Jon Brook, chairman of Bentham Town Team, said: “This project is the latest in a series of initiatives taking place to enhance the appeal of the town centre and create a place where people will want to stop and spend time.

“The funding will enable the team to tackle an issue that the town’s residents and businesses felt let it down.

“The new signs and interpretation boards are a much-needed addition to the town centre and will help visitors find their way around the town’s top attractions. The new signs will make the town centre a welcoming place to any visitor.”

The Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group has awarded over £2 million since June 2009 to community-led projects that support the scheme’s aims to improve the quality of life and prosperity in rural communities through locally driven rural development initiatives and projects.