MUSSELS, a lost church and two village halls will all benefit from more than £200,000 of funding.
The cash has been coughed up as part of the North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme, which has gone to four projects in the Whitby area.
Money is awarded to projects that can prove they fall into three main categories – sustainability,
conservation and enhancement.
One project celebrating a windfall is the Mulgrave Community Research Project, which wants to involve the local community in the hunt for the lost Seton Church.
It was given £66,955 and the volunteers celebrated by dowsing at the weekend.
Anthea Ellis of the project explained: "Dowsing involves using electro-magnetism to find where soil might have been displaced under ground. We hope to have made some good findings.
"The money will allow us to continue our work and involve children from Oakridge, Lythe and Seton Schools in the project, which is to find out more about the area's history."
A scheme to reintroduce pearl mussels and salmon into the River Esk pocketed £78,750, to help it undertake river restoration to improve the habitat of the river for these species.
Simon Hirst, River Esk project officer for the North York Moors National Park, told the Whitby Gazette: "At the moment we need to prepare the river for the juvenile mussels which includes measures to prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss so when the species is introduced in five years it can flourish.
"The money will also go towards bringing back flora and fauna to the river banks which is also crucial for the project."
Lythe Village Hall was granted £61,300 towards its £200,000 renovation while Sneaton Village Hall received £15,550 for its refurbishment.
Mike Horrocks, North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme manager, said: "We've been really impressed with the ideas put forward and the enthusiasm of those involved to deliver projects that will make a difference to the area where they live.
"This latest round of projects all offer a solution to a locally identified need or demand by providing new services, facilities or activities. I look forward to seeing them get under way."
