CHARITIES or organisations which are helping victims affected by the exceptionally wet weather over the winter are being sought by The Prince's Countryside Fund.

Many farmers and rural communities face a second consecutive year of flooding and the countryside also faces wider problems, including rural isolation, lack of job opportunities for young people, and the demise of local shops and pubs.

Organisations and charities that are helping rural communities can apply for much needed funding from The Prince's Countryside Fund, which closes for grant applications on April 24 at 5pm.

The charity is looking to invest up to £750,000 in worthwhile rural initiatives. The Prince's Countryside Fund, supported by Tindle Newspapers, publisher of the Times, has given more than £3.8-million in grants to hard-pressed rural communities, directly benefiting more than 64,000 people since 2010.

The Prince's Countryside Fund is looking to fund projects that will have a lasting positive impact on rural communities. 

Applications that address the following issues will be considered: Improving service provision in rural areas; supporting rural enterprise; supporting farming businesses; providing training opportunities for young people.

To find out more about the people The Prince's Countryside Fund has helped, visit http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk">www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk