SUBSTANTIAL grants to help rural communities survive and thrive are available through the countryside scheme Vital Villages.

Launched by the Countryside Agency, the scheme aims to help villages address transport needs, training and leisure opportunities.

Applications for up to £5,000 are available through the parish plans grants scheme to enable the creation of an action plan to examine and tackle the social economic and environmental issues facing the village.

Up to £10,000 can be bid for under the parish transport grant scheme to support a wide range of small scale projects to meet transport needs.

Also in the pipeline is cash to help communities maintain or introduce services which are local priorities. Bids for community services grants are expected to run from £500 to £25,000.

Mr David Fanaroff, of the Countryside Agency, said: "The work of our Vital Villages programme will focus on helping communities to solve a variety of the challenges villages now face.

"We will help communities to take stock of their position and the problems they face and create an action plan to address their own needs.

"We will also provide advice and funding for villages that wish to improve local transport and essential services."

To register interest in applying for a grant, or to be sent an information pack, call 0870 333 0170.