PROJECTS which could attract millions of pounds for the Colne Valley are under discussion.

Councillors are meeting to decide how to push ahead with a scheme to regenerate the Marsden and Slaithwaite areas.

They have already identified sources for up to £5m worth of cash, from Yorkshire Forward and from within their own budgets.

Now they are to debate plans to set up a series of schemes which could all revitalise the two areas.

A report to councillors outlines 13 priority projects.

These include:

* Green Business Generator: To attract new businesses using green technology

* Village centre improvements for both Marsden and Slaithwaite, by improving streets and public spaces and creating links to the River Colne and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

* Housing strategy to make sure that there are homes available for young people with family links with the area. There are concerns that commuters working in Manchester are buying homes in Marsden.

* Slaithwaite Spa - Plans to continue the restoration of the open space as a park suitable for the local community with better footpaths and a walking route linking the site with Manchester Road

* Arts and culture - A project to provide studio and workspaces for artists and creative organisations.

A council spokesman said: "The key Yorkshire Forward approach is that the process should be community led, but with the support of the local authority.

"A steering group of interested local community members has been meeting monthly to decide how best to move the projects to implementation.

"Up to £4m has been identified as a potential investment from Yorkshire Forward, and up to £1m in the Kirklees Council five-year plan."