Plans for a multi-use sports facility in Strathdearn and a shinty club in Beauly - both near Inverness, Scotland - have received funding as part of a European grants programme.

Beauly Shinty Club has been awarded more than £10,500 to upgrade its pitch and facilities, while Strathdearn Hall has secured £35,000 towards the cost of the new sports facility through the Highland LEADER scheme. The scheme is designed to boost economic and community development in rural parts of the country. The Highland region has netted nearly £10m for a range of development projects up until the end of 2013.

LEADER programme manager Nicole Wallace said: "It is very encouraging to see LEADER funds begin to filter through in rural Inverness and projects getting ready to start. "We also have numerous projects at the enquiry stage and we look forward over the coming months to supporting these and many others to make a real difference to local communities."

The Highland Council is the lead partner for the programme on behalf of the Highland Community Planning Partnership.