A Moira landmark is becoming cleaner and greener, thanks to funding from Leicestershire County Council.

The Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park is one of the organisations that has recently benefited from the council's SHIRE Environment Grant.

It received a £1,500 cash boost to help the museum take a step into the future and purchase eco-friendly, battery powered items including a mower, hedge trimmers and strimmers, to help maintain the 36-acres of grassland, park land, wetland and heathland.

As the project has moved away from petrol-powered equipment, the grant enabled staff and volunteers to reduce the museum's greenhouse gas emissions and its carbon footprint. 

The council's SHIRE Environment Grant offers up to £3,000 to support local projects that reduce household waste, improve biodiversity, and help to address climate change.

Moira Furnace & Country Park near Ashby de la Zouch. Photo: Moira Furnace

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: "The SHIRE Environment Grants provide financial support to various worthwhile projects across the community that help to protect the environment, make Leicestershire more sustainable and help us become a net zero county by 2045."

To be eligible for the grant, projects must be located in Leicestershire (not including Leicester or Rutland. 

A simplified application process is also available for smaller grants of up to £300.

The application deadline for the current round of funding is Friday, October 28.

For further information and how to apply, visit the Leicestershire Communities SHIRE Environment Grants web page or email [email protected].

Applications can also be made by calling the SHIRE Environment Grants Team on 0116 305 7005.

The SHIRE Environment Grants are aimed at forming part of the council's wider work to tackle climate change, including fresh proposals to make Leicestershire a net zero carbon county by 2045.