Funding worth £500,000 is available to market towns in Gloucestershire to help them put on community events as part of their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Build Back Better - Market Towns fund has been launched by Gloucestershire County Council this week, with the aim of boosting the economy of the county's market towns and high streets.

It focuses on market towns, rural communities and those that live on the edge of urban areas and forms part of the wider £1million Gloucestershire Restart Fund agreed by cabinet in June.

Applications can be made by parish and town councils, as well as voluntary and community organisations, for bids ranging from £1,000 to £25,000.

Events could include Christmas fairs, spring shows, summer fetes, vintage car shows, music festivals or farmers' markets and all allocated funding must be used by August 2022.

Completed applications must be received by midnight on September 26, 2021 and applicants will be informed of the outcome on October 4.

Final decisions on the funding awards will be made by a panel, who will consider areas including how many people will benefit from the event, its impact on the economy, the ability to deliver it successfully and those that leave a lasting legacy.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for finance and change, said: "We hope this fund will help bring back some fun and entertainment for communities that have been unable to host any events during the pandemic. We want to revitalise our market towns and the local economy by helping them to put on some fantastic events and are looking forward to receiving your bids."