Penarth start-ups will soon be able to apply for the Vale Bursaries Scheme to kick-start their businesses when it opens for applications in April.

Almost £220,000 has been set aside for the scheme and grants of up to £5,000 will be awarded to help cover the cost of starting a new business.

The council has set a target of 50 new businesses to be established and this will be the council's fourth scheme, with 75 enterprises built since it started.

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for Education and Regeneration, said: "Economic development and job creation have long been a focus for this council and our new bursary scheme is yet more evidence of that.

"Previous rounds have been targeted at young people aged 18-30 but we know there are people of all ages across the Vale with brilliant ideas for new businesses."

She continued: "It's always a joy to bump into people who were supported in previous rounds, and I hope there will be many more success stories in the future.

"With so many opportunities opening up as a result of the council's regeneration work there has never been a better time to be doing businesses in the Vale of Glamorgan and I am excited to see what our 50 new start-ups will bring."

The council has set aside up to £159,0744 to fund the scheme, with an additional £60,000 coming from The Waterloo Foundation, which awards grants to UK and international businesses.

Anna Rees, Wales Fund Manager at The Waterloo Foundation, said: "The Waterloo Foundation is delighted to once again support the Vale of Glamorgan Bursary Scheme which aims to help people start their own business.

"We hope more budding entrepreneurs will take advantage of the scheme, and the wider business opportunities it offers, as they are helped on their journey to self-employment."

The bursary scheme will open to applicants from April 1, 2022.

You can find more information on how to apply on the Vale of Glamorgan Council website from this date.

Click here to read stories from previous recipients.