BUSINESSES impacted by the coronavirus outbreak are being invited to apply for government support grants by a council.

Local businesses affected by the pandemic can now apply to South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) to access the funding options.

SLDC has set up the application process and is inviting businesses to complete an online form if they would like to be considered for cash.

The council aims to turn around the first applications and begin distributing payments from today.

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, SLDC portfolio holder for economy, culture and leisure, said: “We have been doing everything we can to set up this scheme as quickly as possible so that we can start to distribute the £10,000 and £25,000 grants to the businesses that we know really need support at this time.”