The New Year will mean a new fuel facility for islanders on Jura after securing funding from the Scottish Executive's Rural Petrol Station Scheme as well as support from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and Argyll and Bute Council.

Jura residents were in danger of being left without a petrol station when the previous owner of the island's only facility decided to close down in 1997. However, with advice from AIE, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, residents set up their own company - Jura Community Business Limited - and have operated the petrol station for the last 20 months. There has been a small profit on sales during that time and fund raising efforts by the community towards the cost of upgrading the facility have continued.

Jura's population of just 170 managed to raise £9,000 . Part of the funds and assistance from HIE's Community Land Unit helped purchase the site for the new facility at Craighouse.

Now with all the funding in place for the new facility, work is due to start in January and will include the installation of additional tanks for unleaded petrol and new tanks for diesel. £12, 609 has come from both AIE and Argyll and Bute Council with £58,844 coming from the Scottish Executive's Rural Petrol Station Scheme.

Steve Walton, secretary of Jura Community Business Limited and manager of the Jura Hotel said: "We would like to thank AIE and HIE for all their practical and financial help with this project, along with the island's residents, landowners and other parties too numerous to mention who have been generous with their time and money in support of this project.

"This project will now secure a fuel supply for Jura for the foreseeable future and may help to provide a basis for other developments."

Chair of Argyll and Bute Council's Transport Committee, Councillor Robin Currie, member for Islay, Jura and Colonsay, said: "A fuel supply is vital for the island. I am very pleased that the partnership is funding the project which is due to start early in the New Year. All credit is due to the islanders who have worked hard to make the project a reality."

Chief executive at AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "Strengthening communities is a priority for the Network and an adequate fuel facility is vital for this very remote and fragile community. Petrol and diesel are crucial to the economic health and welfare of Jura, without fuel, its social and economic structure would be severely at risk."