A SECOND round of funding is now open under the Village SOS scheme.

Operated by the Big Lottery Fund, Village SOS is looking to award grants of £10,000-£50,000 for enterprising community enterprises.

Funding opened on 10 April for rural villages or small rural towns with populations of no more than 3000 people.

The organisation that submits the application to us must be local to the community in question.

Funding can be used to pay some or all costs for the first year of an enterprise but projects costing more than £100,000 won't be funded.

Only one application per community will be considered.

They can come from voluntary and community groups or organisations such as charities, village committees, associations, trusts, co-operatives or social enterprises

Applications from parish, town or community councils will also be considered so long as local residents have clearly shaped the project.

The second round of funding comes ahead of a Village SOS Roadshow providing information, inspiration and advice to rural communities.

Starting in Dunfermline, Scotland the roadshow will then visit 10 other locations in England and Wales

Experts will be on hand to help people in rural areas to start community enterprises that will breathe new life into their village.

Funding details can be seen by clicking here. Details of the roadshow, including locations and dates, are available here.