RURAL businesses are invited to apply for the first round of funding in the LEADER programme in Worcestershire.

The funding is targeted at projects  support micro and small enterprise in rural areas, support farm diversification and support rural tourism.

Interested parties are being invited to apply for a share of the £1.96m LEADing Rural Business small capital grant funding programme.

The key objectives of the programme include the growth of the rural economy and the creation of 74 jobs in rural Worcestershire.

Bidding applications are welcomed to:-

* Support for micro and small enterprises (including farm diversification)

* Support for rural tourism

The Worcestershire 'LEADing Rural Business' programme is funded through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2014-2020.

Deputy council leader Simon Geraghty said: "This is a great opportunity to really grow our rural business infrastructure.

"Worcestershire is a county with a thriving rural and agricultural economy, and I encourage any business, whether looking to start up or to expand, to submit an application."

For more information and updates on the programme, visit www.business-central.co.uk/leader.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1 February 2016.