A borough council is set to boost rural businesses with an additional £77,000 worth of grants.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has been awarded the money, provided by the UK Government's Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which will be used for capital projects.

Grants ranging from £10,000 to £20,000 will be available to new and existing rural businesses.

These funds are intended to help develop new products and facilities that will benefit the local economy.

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Businesses must match at least 50 per cent of their project costs from their own resources.

Councillor Alison Johnston, portfolio holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside, said: "We have a large rural community in the borough and the REPF is supporting our rural businesses to purchase equipment, employ new technologies, diversify, improve productivity, grow, and employ more local people.

"We are delighted to be able to offer further grants in 2025-26."

Funding will be available for growing the local social economy, small-scale investment in micro and small enterprises, and the development and promotion of the visitor economy.