KINGSBRIDGE-based company, Endurancelife has been awarded funds from the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group to boost their business.

Endurancelife organises some of the toughest coastal trail running events in the country.

A small team manages the coastal trail series from Kingsbridge, and the company has now been awarded funding to develop their business, increase productivity and double their workforce.

The LAG partnership invests in projects along the rural coast between Plymouth and Exeter and aims to help local businesses grow, employ more people and help communities become more sustainable, developing local identity and benefiting the broader South Devon economy.

Endurancelife director, James Barker said: ‘This funding will aid our growth by allowing us to improve our back office systems, freeing up manpower to plan and manage more events along the coast.

‘At the moment we organise 11 events a year across England and Wales, organised by a team of three. With this essential funding from the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group we can double the number of events to 22 a year, by hiring three more local people and bringing in a better back-end office system.’

Chairman of the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group, John Yeoman added: ‘The focus of the LAG funding programme is to help the rural economy to grow. ‘Endurancelife is a perfect example of where small rural businesses can really benefit from the funding and will in turn support our wider aim of growing business in Devon.

‘With Endurancelife organising more trail running events across the UK, including along the South Devon coast, the funding doesn’t only support one business, it will have a positive knock on effect for many local businesses across the area as participants visiting the coast for the trails will require accommodation, cafes, restaurants, fuel and other facilities which our South Devon businesses can offer.’

If you would like to apply, visit the LAG website to see whether your project meets the criteria, and complete a simple project ideas form at drcompany.co.uk/local-action-groups/sdclag. If your ideas are eligible for the fund, you will then be invited to submit an application.