A CHARITY supported by farmers and landowners in the Ribble Valley and across the country is aiming to hand out £1m in grants by the year 2000.

The Country Landowner's Association Charitable Trust is supported entirely by donations from its members and exists to ensure that the less fortunate in society have the opportunity to enjoy the countryside.

The trust aims to encourage and help landowners to provide facilities on their land for disabled people to enjoy sport and recreation in the countryside.

It was set up in 1980 and had already given thousands of pounds to projects throughout Lancashire and Cumbria.

Jolyon Dodgson, regional secretary for the CLA, said: "Our members are well aware of the joys of the countryside. "It is easy to take them for granted when you live there and are able-bodied.

"But is not often realised what a rare pleasure it is for many disabled people and how often special arrangements have to be made for their enjoyment."

Projects set up by the trust include bird hides for the disabled, wheelchair access to nature trails, special boats designed for wheelchair fishing and assistance with farm education and self catering accommodation.

Mr Dodgson added: "The trust has helped thousands of disabled people enjoy what most people take for granted - a day out in the countryside - and that is why we have set a target of reaching £1m by the millennium."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.