Grants of up to £500 are now available to tourism businesses based in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and European Geopark.

The 'Greening Your Tourism Business Grants' are being offered for the second year running by the North Pennines AONB Partnership. They are available to businesses who are already members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) and new entrants to the green accreditation scheme. The grant scheme is being funded through the North Pennines Sustainable Development Fund.

The grants are available at a rate of 50% for any work associated with gaining credit under any measure in the GTBS. Examples of work potentially fundable include: appropriate micro-renewables; energy efficiency projects e.g. additional insulation or energy efficient light fixtures; recycling facilities; installation of self-closing taps in public wash rooms; and the provision of secure cycle storage options.

People involved in the tourism trade will have the chance to find out how the GTBS can be great for business at a free North Pennines AONB Partnership seminar taking place in Nenthead on the 16th of October.

The 'Joining the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) Seminar' for tourism businesses in the North Pennines AONB will run on Thursday 16 October 2008 at Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre from 10.30am until 3.30pm. Attendance at this FREE seminar is by advance booking ONLY. Currently there are also a number of subsidised places for new GTBS members in the North Pennines and across the North East Region.

Shane Harris, the North Pennines AONB's Sustainable Tourism and Communications Officer said: "More and more visitors are booking with businesses that take a green approach to their products and services. To help businesses tap into this market while making cost savings, the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) provides an environmental accreditation that can be used to increase the marketing potential of tourism businesses."

Launched in Scotland 11 years ago, the GTBS equips members with the knowledge and expertise to help make their businesses more sustainable by reducing energy usage and bills as well as providing that extra marketing edge. To find out more about the scheme visit www.green-business.co.uk or call 01738 632162 (gtbs@green-business.co.uk).

The Nenthead seminar is part of a series of four 'Joining the GTBS Seminars' in the North Pennines and the North East Region. The other three are:

Mon 13 October (10.30am-3.30pm) Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge, Barnard Castle

Tues 14 October (10.30am-3.30pm) Guildhall TIC, Newcastle

Wed 15 October (10.30am-3.30pm) Methodist Hall, Alnmouth