BUSINESSES across Wiltshire and Swindon can bid for funding through a rural grants scheme.

The rural economy grants scheme, run by Wiltshire Council, is open for applications and runs until December 2014.

The scheme aims to support people starting-up a business. It will also help expand existing micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees and social enterprises.

Businesses looking for funding could be from a wide range of sectors including technical services, ICT, security, logistics, defence and construction.

The initiative will also provide an opportunity to support women-led businesses.

The rural economy grants scheme is part of the Enterprise Network, and will be known as "TEN investments". They are only made available in areas which have a Defra Rural Growth Network pilot scheme.

Fleur de Rhé-Philipe cabinet member for economic development, said: "This will provide a very timely source of funding into small businesses which have increasingly found it difficult to get investment from traditional sources in the past few years.

"I encourage all types of different businesses to find out more and see what this funding could offer them."

Grants from £10,000, up to £168,000 are available, and businesses based in large towns must provide goods or services in rural areas.

Applications and information is available online and support for people thinking of starting in business, or existing businesses seeking advice is available free of charge from the Wiltshire business support service.

For details, email [email protected] or call 01225 713421. Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 01249 706549.