A public consultation has launched on Northern Ireland's first ever Rural Policy Framework.

Launched by Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots the Framework aims to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active.

The Minister launched the consultation during a number of visits to rural dwellers and projects in the Mid-Ulster area. The consultation will run through Citizen Space until 6 September 2021.

Projects the Minister visited included; the Tyrone Old Brick Factory, Dungannon, the Mid-Ulster Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Coalisland, Loughry College, Cookstown and Ballyronan Marina in Magherafelt.

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Minister Poots said: "Around 36% of people in Northern Ireland live in a rural setting. The sector is vital to our economy, with around 60% of our VAT/PAYE registered businesses located there and around 20% of our employee jobs in rural businesses. The businesses and projects I’ve visited are testimony to the innovation, resilience and drive we see across this sector. It’s therefore so important that we protect, encourage and enhance rural communities to ensure their long term sustainability.

"Northern Ireland has never had its own Rural Framework Policy and this is the first time we'll be able to create one that's completely tailored to our unique circumstances, demographically, geographically and that has stakeholders at its heart.

"People living in rural communities face particular challenges such as reduced connectivity, poorer health, lack of access to employment and inferior infrastructure. This Framework aims to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active."