Swansea Council (SC) is to spend £350,000 on five projects in a bid to promote walking and cycling in its rural areas after receiving funding from the European Union (EU) and Welsh Assembly Government.

Eight areas, including the Gower peninsula, Penclawdd, Mawr and Pontarddulais, will see work carried out as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales (RDP), an EU scheme designed to boost tourism and the local economy in rural communities. A walking route in Mawr is set to be upgraded as part of the five projects, which will be carried out over a two year period. Youth services in rural Swansea will also be improved.

SC applied for the funding in partnership with voluntary, community and private sector organisations. Richard Beale, chair of the Swansea Rural Development Partnership, said: "At long last the rural areas of Swansea, which form two-thirds of Swansea Council's area, have been recognised as being in need of support. "This provides an exciting opportunity for the economic development of rural communities and the means of engaging with them to address their needs."

The five schemes set to receive grants also form part of the first Swansea Rural Business Plan, which runs until February 2011. The funding package also includes match-funding from the Countryside Council for Wales, the Welsh Church Act Fund, Penclawdd Community Centre and the council.