Another £1.5 million of European funding is available to rural tourism businesses in Cumbria.

Grants are on offer to help deliver projects that focus on tourism-related business development and infrastructure improvements.

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs have secured the money from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The deadline for applications is November 27.

Corinne Watson, EU strategy manager for Cumbria LEP, said: “The tourism business development funding is designed to improve the quality of serviced overnight accommodation available in rural areas.

“It is to support micro and small rural businesses seeking to expand and create jobs. The infrastructure call is supporting rural businesses and communities seeking to invest in recreational and small-scale rural tourism projects.

“Grants are available to develop new and existing visitor attractions, events and festivals and small-scale infrastructure.

“The ultimate objective of both funding streams is to attract more overseas visitors to stay in Cumbria.”

Details and guidance notes on how to apply are online at www.gov.uk/european-structural-investment-funds .

Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria LEP, added: “The rural tourism sector has significant opportunity for growth to develop Cumbria’s overall year round tourism offer.

“This also benefits the wider economy through higher spend on rural attractions and accommodation as well as an increase in tourism based enterprises and job opportunities.”

For more information you can email corinne.watson@cumbria.gov.uk