APPLICATIONS open for the second round of Malvern Hills Rural Fund.

Rural businesses and communities can now apply for up to £25,000 worth of funding with the return of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund.

Round two of the fund is now available to support new small or micro businesses in rural areas, including helping farmers to diversify into other sectors, and growing tourism.

The money can only be used to fund physical projects such as new buildings or renovations and not for staff or day-to-day running costs. Individual grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are on offer, but businesses will be expected to match 50 per cent of the total cost of a project.

Expressions of interest must be submitted through the Malvern Hills District Council website using the online form by Monday, November 13. Shortlisted bids will then be invited to work up a full application.

The funding comes from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cllr Beverley Nielsen, portfolio holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are pleased to announce that we are now encouraging funding applications for Round two of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund.

"The fund is a great opportunity for new businesses or existing ones that have ideas for growth to access support to diversify and thrive”.

More information about the qualifying criteria for the fund and how to apply can be found at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/rural-fund.