A NEW initiative aims to promote community enterprises that improve access to rural services in Scotland.

The new service from the Plunkett Foundation aims to inspire Scottish rural communities to create community owned initiatives and enterprises.

It is being funded by the Prince's Countryside Fund and managed by Plunkett Scotland.

Plunkett Scotland will work with a number of community groups to help them to explore the steps required to set up a community enterprise and facilitate shared learning with like-minded enterprises and individuals.

Development officer Andrew Prendergast said: "We are keen to work with rural communities in Scotland who are interested in forming a group to explore the steps required to set up a community enterprise."

Communities could be interested in developing local enterprises such as shops, pubs, cafés, transport and energy, said mr Prendergast.

"The groups, either new or existing, should support the belief that working co-operatively adds additional value to their work."

By July 2015 it is expected that ten new community enterprises located in rural communities in Scotland will have been established.

Plunkett Scotland has a team of eight Community Advisers across Scotland who provide a range of advice to communities considering setting up or already running community owned rural enterprises.

Mentors are fully-trained to provide tailored advice and support at all stages of enterprise development.

On offer also are inspiring study visits that enable fledgling community enterprises to visit and learn from established initaitives.