Hard hit rural communities across the UK are being given a helping hand by a rural charity, who have announced that they will be giving away £670k of funding.

The Prince's Countryside Fund, established in 2010 by HRH The Prince of Wales, has announced that it will be supporting 19 projects across the UK through its grant giving programme.

The fund aims to improve the prospects of family farm business and the quality of rural life, and the organisers believe more needs to be done to help those affected.

New projects include funding to assist the communities of Alfrick and Lulsley in Worcestershire, St Tudy in Cornwall, Wereham in Norfolk and Llangunllo in Wales to run vital community services and improve local assets.

Lord Curry of Kirkharle, chairman of The Prince's Countryside Fund, said: "We are delighted to be able to support such a wide range of innovative projects that will provide a lasting legacy in so many rural areas.

"The next five years are critical for our rural communities and against a background of growing uncertainty, our grant programme provides essential support to people living and working in the countryside.

"Rural communities need to be prioritised. It is easy to forget just how much we depend on rural businesses and family farms.

"With an ageing population and a shortage of new entrants embarking on rural careers, it is vital that we continue to support grassroots initiatives to ensure we maintain a thriving and sustainable future for our rural communities."