RURAL businesses in Lancashire are set to benefit from grants totalling £4.6million aimed at supporting employment and growth.

The cash is aimed at helping farmers who are seeking to invest in new technology, diversify or make onsite improvements.

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Funding will also be available for new or existing small or micro enterprises looking to create new job opportunities.

The funding will be available for eligible rural businesses across Lancashire and in neighbouring parts of Greater Manchester.

The programme, which was announced yesterday, will be managed and delivered by Lancashire County Council and is expected to be launched in June, 2015.

Projects funded in the 2009-2013 Rural Programme include Fiddlers Lancashire Crisps, which benefited from funding to create a manufacturing facility at the family farm.

The programme also provided funding to the Odd Chair Company, which had outgrown its site and needed additional space to expand its business.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local rural businesses who are looking to develop and grow. The funding will be available to businesses, farms and organisations who want to invest and create new jobs.”

The funding will be given out through local bodies, known as Local Action Groups (LAGs).

The Lancashire North and Bowland group will cover part of Wyre, Lancaster, Ribble Valley and Pendle while the Lancashire Pennine Moors will cover South Ribble, Chorley, Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Burnley.

Each of these groups is made up of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors who have spent the last year identifying local priority areas for funding.

For further information and to check whether you are located in an eligible rural area, please contact karen.kerrigan@lancashire.gov.uk or call 01772 538797.