A HEXHAM-BASED company has been handed a significant funding boost.

The Northumberland Community Development Company, which aims to “support people who support communities” has been given £9,550 from NatWest.

Natwest’s regional managing director, Richard Topliss, made the trip to Hexham to present Northumberland Community Development Company’s Janet Cresswell and director Jim Roberston with a cheque.

The money will go towards implementing the Back of Beyond Business support programme, which provides training and skills opportunities across rural areas.

The project supports businesses, individuals, enterprise and the wider community by offering a range of support including courses, events, workshops and individual support programmes.

NCDC has provided various courses, from dry stone walling to emergency first aid at work.

A spokeswoman for Northumberland Community Development Community said: “We are one of the few agencies bringing funding into such local rural communities.

“Our enterprise projects support start-up businesses, encourage diversification projects and promote local businesses.

“Through our research and events we identify individual and local training needs which we then source where possible through local providers.

“NatWest is keen to help support these local enterprises , encouraging individuals into self employment or growing their existing businesses to further our economy.”

The company, which was established in 2003 to address needs across the county, already receives funding for the Back of Beyond Business Support project from the Prince’s Trust.