BUSINESSES in Burnley with fewer than 25 employees could be eligible for a grant of up to £10,000 if they can create more jobs.

Burnley Small Business Fund, an initiative from the Burnley Enterprise Trust and the council's economic development unit, is making grants available to existing and new start-up businesses in the manufacturing and service sectors. The grant will be for businesses who are unable to fully finance expansion plans through loans and is for up to 25 per cent of the total funding for items such as capital equipment, plant, tools and other equipment and marketing projects.

Money is being made available by the Burnley Challenge Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

Economic and property sub-committee chairman Coun Marcus Johnstone said: "There will be a small number of businesses in the borough ready to take a leap forward to meet growing markets, but who are not able to raise all the necessary private finance.

"The fund will help to free them from that dilemma and get their plans on course for expansion and growth."

Applications must include a detailed business plan which can be prepared with help from the Burnley Enterprise Trust or a financial advisor.

For more information contact 01282 411320.

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