Small and micro rural businesses and individuals can apply for funding for a wide range of projects.

More information will be available at an event being hosted by Huntingdonshire District Council, the Federation of Small Businesses and the National Farmers Union on April 19 at Buckden Village Hall.

Support will be available for anyone who wants to hear how they can apply for up to 40 per cent of the cost of projects which will:

• Supporting micro/small businesses – employing less than 50 employees

• Increasing farm productivity

• Providing rural services

• Boosting rural tourism

• Providing cultural & heritage activity

• Farm diversification

• Increasing forestry productivity.

Projects can include using new sustainable farming technology to convert buildings into holiday lets and there are two funding streams with a minimum of £10,000 and up to a maximum of £175,000.

Examples of previously allocated funding include: turning redundant farm buildings into B&B; a zero tillage system to increase farm productivity and a rural cafe.

A district council spokesman explained: “Despite the uncertainty created by Brexit access to grant funding still exists and these two rural focused funding streams offer significant opportunity. If you are a Huntingdonshire business with less than 50 staff or a community organisation and have aspirations to develop, grow or diversify, be it introducing sustainable farming technology, building holiday lets or enhancing a local museum, come along and hear more.”

The meeting on April 19 will include speakers and also representatives from local businesses who are currently engaged with one of the programmes.

Following the speakers, there will be a question-and-answer session and help will be available to discuss specific requirements and help with the application process.

The session will take place in the Millard Suite at Buckden Village Hall, from 8am till 10am.

INFO: For more information and to register an interest go to: economic.developmemt@huntingdonshire.gov.uk.