A town is set to benefit from a Government initiative to help rural areas.

Faringdon could receive more than £100,000 to boost local services, following the launch of a new funding programme to help market towns.

The town has bid for £47,000 from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Countryside Agency. The cash will be used to fund youth projects and community transport initiatives.

Although the cash is available to market towns across Oxfordshire, Faringdon is the only town to have made a bid. The grant must be match-funded by a local authority.

The rural sector director at SEEDA, Valerie Carter, said: "Small market towns are vital to our rural areas, providing jobs, services and leisure facilities for the surrounding villages and countryside. This joint programme will contribute towards their future success."

The bid will be considered by a Rural Towns, Rural Life partnership board meeting on Thursday.