RURAL businesses are being urged to find out how they can get a share of £63m available through the Rural Development Programme for England.

It can be accessed by rural businesses through a number of programmes which will be outlined at the Yorkshire Forward stand at next week’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The regional development agency is managing the RDPE, which is being funded jointly through Defra and the European union.

And their rural business advisors will be on hand each day of the show to discuss the different programmes available, the criteria for each and offer help with applications.

The agency’s assistant director of environment, Andy Tordoff, said: "RDPE aims to ensure rural areas remain vibrant and diverse and improve the quality of life and environment.

"What we are trying to make clear at this year’s show, is that RDPE is not as complex as people think and we are working hard with our partners to help make it as simple as possible for rural businesses to take advantage of it."