A £1.5m grants scheme has been rolled out across Worcestershire aimed at breathing new life into the rural economy.

Worcestershire's Property Service has welcomed the introduction of the Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme, which offers grants to companies to convert or refurbish unused buildings, bringing them back into business use.

Though originally launched in 2003, the scheme has only recently been rolled out to cover the whole of the county.

Applicants can apply for up to £62,500, or 25 per cent of eligible project costs.

Geoff Palmer, of Worcestershire's Property Service, which helps businesses find their ideal premises in the county, said: "We know that there is a high demand for high quality workspace across the county from the number of enquiries we are dealing with.

"As well as channelling valuable investment into Worcestershire's rural economy and creating and safeguarding jobs outside of the city, it is breathing new life into dozens of otherwise derelict units, preventing the need to build on existing brownfield sites, which are already at a premium."

The scheme also covers Shropshire and Herefordshire and since last October, when the latest round of grant money was allocated, there have been nine successful applications and 88 enquiries from within Worcestershire.

Successful projects currently under development include the conversion of barns into office space at Hanley Swan and the creation of a nursery unit at Gaudet Luce Golf Course, Droitwich.

For more information call Dorothy Coleman on 01432 383616 or email rbgscheme@herefordshire.gov.uk