BREWING giant Bass plc, which owns the Tower Brewery at Tadcaster, has given a major boost to the Countryside Commission's Millennium Greens programme.

It has agreed to donate £300,000 spread over three years to help achieve a target of creating at least 250 new green spaces in both urban and rural areas by the year 2000.

Bass spokesman Aodh O'Dochartaigh said: "We have been inspired by the Countryside Commission's concept of Millennium Greens and are very keen to see them play a significant role in the lives of as many communities as possible.

"Our vision is that this Bass funding will help the 20 to 30 most needy sites each year - turning dreams into reality."

Countryside Commission chairman Richard Simmonds said: "We are delighted that Bass has come up with this very welcome offer.

"With the assistance of £10 million of National Lottery funding from the Millennium Commission we have been working hard to ensure that as many communities as possible benefit from the creation of these new 'breathing spaces' for the new Millennium."

Projects in North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire are among those which could be in line for assistance.

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