A KEY project in a multi-million pound scheme to link land, food, health and society has suffered a funding setback - but organisers are confident it will continue as planned.

Project Carrot, the partnership between the Bulmer Foundation, Pershore Group of Colleges and Advantage West Midlands (AWM), has had a grant for the Carrot Enterprise Zone witheld by the Rural Regeneration Zone Board (RRZB).

"Carrot had been earmarked for nearly a million from the RRZB and although they feel the project meets their strategic objectives they are unable to provide this funding because of financial constraints," said the project's director, Allistair Cormie.

Because of support from Scottish and Newcastle through the Bulmer Foundation, and the Pershore Group of Colleges, the Carrot team will progress a revised scheme.

The objective is to renovate derelict historic farm buildings into an enterprise zone to encourage sustainable food production enterprises, craft enterprises and to provide educational opportunities in sustainable land use.

Mr Cormie added: "Although RRZB are unable to support us, we are positive that we will be able to build on the successes we have had so far.''