A free-to-use business grants service which operates across the eastern counties has now awarded more than £1million in funding.

Grants4Growth encourages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to reduce their carbon emissions and invest in growth through capital grants towards the cost of cleaner and more efficient production processes.

Revenue grants and technical assistance are also available to assist companies in introducing clean technology and renewable energy.

More than 220 businesses have benefited so far, with one of the most recent being Bramble Cottage Woodcraft, from Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds.

It received a grant of £6,500 towards a new energy-efficient milling machine which will achieve cost savings of £5,560 and reduce carbon emissions by one tonne as well as supporting an additional employee.

Another recent recipient was the Thomas Paine Hotel in Thetford, whose grant of £4,250 towards the installation of a new energy-efficient heating and lighting system took the total awarded by Grants4Growth past £1m.

Grants4Growth is delivered by Breckland council through Local Enteprise Partnerships, including the New Anglia LEP in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Mark Kiddle–Morris, chairman of Grants4Growth, said: “The funding we provide acts as a catalyst for businesses to invest to create jobs and improve efficiency which has directly helped our local businesses to grow.

“The evidence supports this; across East Anglia we have safeguarded over 400 jobs and helped create in excess of 100 new jobs.”

A wide range of projects and businesses fit the grants criteria. To find out more about the scheme, visit www.grants4growth.org.uk or call Cassie Mant on 01362 656235.