HELPING small rural businesses get back on their feet following the severe winter weather earlier this year has won West Devon Borough Council an award.

When the storms hit, some small businesses across the borough were severely affected by flooding and West Devon successfully applied for vital government funding to help them.

The council's economy team came up with a simple application form for storm-affected businesses to complete and the flooding fund was well publicised through the local media, and the council's social media network.

Three West Devon businesses applied to the fund and were awarded a total of £7,500.

Now the council, along with its partner South Hams District Council, has won a county-wide award from the Devon Federation of Small Businesses for the best scheme to assist small rural business.

Sue Wilkinson from the Devon Federation said: 'Flooding has been a key issue for a huge number of businesses in Devon over the past couple of years and it is great to see West Devon Borough Council doing their best to help our members out.'

Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'Following the storms we realised very quickly that some of our small businesses would be badly affected and we applied for government funding immediately.

'We put the fund in place as soon as possible and by making the process so straightforward we were able to assess applications very quickly. 

'We were also able to suggest other relevant funding available to businesses too, including business rate relief, and repair and renew funding which put in place measures to help mitigate any future flooding.

'Supporting our businesses and local economy is a key priority of the council, particularly when times are hard.'