RESIDENTS and businesses in West Devon affected by flooding during the recent winter storms are being invited to get in touch with their local council about the possibility of funding to help them get back to normal.

The Government has earmarked funds to help those affected by the severe weather and announced four different funding pots to help in a variety of ways.

Local authorities have been asked by the Government to deliver the funding schemes.

These include grants for home and business owners to repair flood damage, support for small businesses affected by flooding and council tax and business rate relief, relating to the impact of the storms during the period from December 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014.

Full details of the funding are still being finalised by the Government and those wishing to claim will have to meet certain eligibility criteria.

The Government is expected to release further details over the next few weeks about the funding application process.

West Devon Borough Council wishes to do all it can to help householders and businesses recover from the effects of the storms and encourages anyone who may have been affected, and thinks they may qualify for assistance, to contact them as soon as possible.

Council leader, Cllr Philip Sanders, said: 'Although to date we have been fortunate in West Devon to escape the worst of the flooding, many of our businesses have been affected along with a small number of households.

'The funding available to us will be fairly limited but we will do our best to assist as many people and businesses as we can.

'If you are not sure if you qualify please contact us and we will be pleased to examine your claim.'

West Devon has already been awarded £20,000 from the Government's Business Support Scheme and anticipates receiving other small grants in the coming weeks for the other schemes.

For more details visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk or call 01822 813600.