MORE than £100,000 in funding has been allocated to New Forest organisations with inspirational ideas linked to the theme of sustainability.

An eco-dormitory for school children, a photography scheme for people with mental health issues and a green energy survey are just three of the ten projects receiving cash, members of the New Forest National Park Authority heard at their meeting on Thursday.

Since the Sustainable Development Fund was launched last year, the New Forest NPA has been approached by 84 individuals and organisations interested in applying, and of the 15 projects appraised so far 11 have been approved.

However, one approved project was withdrawn by the applicant because match funding could not be found.

The grants given so far range from a few hundred pounds up to nearly £37,000 from an annual kitty held by the park authority of £100,000.

Grants can be used to pay for up to 75 per cent of feasibility studies, research projects, labour costs, equipment, education, training and promotion.

"Half of the current projects would not have occurred without support from the fund," said an NPA spokesman. "The other half may have taken place only on a significantly diminished scale."

The aim is to benefit the forest environment, local communities and the local economy.