Grants worth thousands of pounds have been awarded to more than 30 projects in the Ryedale and York area - thanks to a tax on rubbish.

The money has been given by Yorventure in the past three years, and now the group, which gives grants from the Landfill Tax, says it is to hand out nearly £1m in the current year.

Since 1997 some 120 projects have benefited in North Yorkshire, one of the latest being a tip at Low Pasture Farm, Bridestones, near Pickering, which has been restored and used for tree planting and now received a grant of £17,400.

Harrogate Young Ornithologists Club got £12,000 towards creating a nature reserve at Goosemoor Organic Farm, Cowthorpe.

Residents at Skelton restored their village pond with the aid of a £20,000 grant.

Among other projects to benefit have been Costa Lane Millennium Wood, Pickering, a skate park at Thornton-le-Dale, tree planting at Poppleton, Wrelton Village Hall, Pickering War Memorial Hall, Rufforth village appraisal, Cropton Banks Wood, Long Marston play area, thatching at Stand End Cottage, Ryedale Folk Museum, St Joseph's School adventure trail, Pickering, Ebberston play ground, All Saints Church, Thornton-le-Dale, Poppleton Millennium Green, Askham Bog Nature Reserve, Rufforth Playing Field,, York Archaeological Trust's sensory garden, Leeman Road skate park, York, urban nature park at St Nicholas Fields, York, Fulford Cross School conservation area, Poppleton Tithe Barn, Marton mission room refurbishment, and Schools Waste Action Club, York.

Steve Grieve, managing director of Yorwaste said that in the past three years some £2.5 million had been given in grants to a wide range of community, environmental, educational and wildlife schemes in North Yorkshire.

Two officers have been appointed by Yorwaste aimed at raising environmental awareness says Mr Grieve.

Credits from the Landfill Tax have also been used to fund the Schools Waste Action Club in York.

County Coun David Ashton, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "Yorventure is now one of the major funders of environmental projects in the county.

"The commitment of Yorventure and Yorwaste Ltd to funding recycling and education projects has contributed significantly to the council's own efforts to raise public awareness of the need to reduce waste and adopt a more sustainable way of life."