JUST one year remains to award around £800,000 of grant funding to rural businesses, communities, farmers and foresters in Surrey.

Cathy Miles, of the Rural Surrey Leader grant funding programme, is seeking applications by the end of 2018, towards capital costs for new or expanding rural businesses and for rural communities in order to allocate these remaining funds.

The programme has already awarded more than £400,000 of grants and hopes to find some more deserving businesses in rural Surrey to support.

“There have been some really interesting grant applications this year and we have enjoyed working with applicants,” she said.

“The process can be very challenging but we are there to support applicants every step of the way.

“If you have a great idea for a business or project in the rural area we would love to hear from you.”

The Rural Surrey Leader funding offers 40 per cent of the total project costs to help create new jobs and economic growth in Surrey.

It is looking for farmers, foresters, rural businesses, communities and not-for-profit groups to make contact to see if their project may be eligible.

For more information go to:www.ruralsurreyleader.org.uk or email: ruralsurrey [email protected]