Entrepreneurs planning to start up new businesses in the Furness area have received a major funding boost.

Development agency Furness Enterprise has secured much-needed financial help for Ulverston and the rural Furness area for the next 12 months.

The cash, which will help set up 30 new businesses, has come via the North West Development Agency's rural development programme and the European Social Fund's Objective 3 programme.

Would-be business people can apply for Linkstart grants worth up to £1,500.

Discretionary marketing grants of up to £500 will be available to new start-ups as well as existing businesses employing less than 50 staff.

Furness Enterprise officials hope the scheme will create 30 new jobs as well as offering training to 130 micro businesses with fewer than five employees.

The funding is worth a total of £150,000 this year.

Project officer Val Robinson said: "Furness Enterprise worked extremely hard to secure this funding, and I am delighted that we are now in a position to help entrepreneurs to set up new businesses in Ulverston and

rural Furness with much-needed funding to assist them with their start-up costs and marketing activities."

The cash injection is welcome news for businesses in Ulverston, which lost out when European financial assistance for the

area was withdrawn earlier this year.

South Lakeland District Council economic development officer Audrey Taylor hailed the new funding as "excellent news".

She said it was the culmination of months of hard work by Furness Enterprise and SLDC in making bids to the European Social Fund and the North West Development Agency.

For more details about the new grants, contact Val Robinson at Furness Enterprise on 01229-820611 or you can e-mail