A CARAVAN park in Craven Arms is among the tourism businesses to have received funding through the European community.

Tourism businesses in Shropshire and Herefordshire have received investment of almost £300,000 in the last year thanks to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Business Enterprise Fund, which is administered by Shropshire Council on behalf of itself, Herefordshire Council, Staffordshire Council, and Telford and Wrekin Council.

Through the fund tourism business grants of £117,000 have been awarded to businesses located in Shropshire and Herefordshire, including the recent award of £30,000 to eight businesses that are implementing projects ready for the new 2014 season.

Projects that have received funding include the creation of additional bedrooms at hotels, pubs and bed and breakfast establishments, improvements to camp sites and additional self catering units.

One of the sites to benefit is the Greenway Touring and Glamping Park near Craven Arms.

"The grant has helped us to create and instal both the camping pods and shower facilities on our park to a high standard," said Sue Gregory, owner of the site.

"We are delighted that already the glamping pods have gained VisitEngland accredited quality rating, and our guests are leaving excellent reviews online.”

Tourism Businesses Grants are open to all tourism businesses within the Shropshire and Herefordshire areas. Grants of up to £5,000 are available, which need to be match-funded by the business.

The Business Enterprise Fund, is a £1.25m fund from the EU. It was first launched in Shropshire and Herefordshire in October 2011.

There are regular funding bids and money is available until December 2014, with £580,000 currently ready for allocation.

The fund is for capital projects, and is open to all businesses within the above areas who operate a business-to-business model, and tourism business. Minimum projects are £2,000, paying a grant of £1,000, with maximum grants of £5,000.