RURAL communities are in line for a bumper funding boost.

Rural businesses such as farms, wedding venues and pubs will benefit from up to £110 million of funding to support countryside communities across England.

The funding will be invested in projects which will boost productivity and create rural job opportunities. 

Investment will be based on local priorities and support investment in projects such as grants for:

·  converting farm buildings to other business uses

·  rural tourism, such as investments in visitor accommodation

·  capital grants for provision of gigabit-capable digital infrastructure at hubs such as village halls, pubs and post offices for community use

·  capital grants to develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites

·  creation of new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need, or capital grants to enable people to develop volunteering and social action projects locally

The Rural England Prosperity Fund - worth up to £110 million - will be delivered by eligible local authorities and give local leaders a greater say in investment than they previously had under EU schemes.

It will be in addition to the £2.6 billion allocated via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support levelling up across the UK.

The fund will be part of the UKSPF and is a rural top-up for eligible local authorities.

The funding has been welcomed by MP Guy Opperman MP.

He said: "This major investment in rural businesses will help us boost the local economy and close the rural productivity gap across Tynedale and Ponteland.

I look forward to continuing to engage with the Government to ensure that our rural areas are heard.”