Thousands of pounds of Government funding is potentially being missed out on by local small businesses, figures show.

Work by the South Hams District Council (SHDC) to highlight Small Business Rate Relief has achieved a take-up of only 50 per cent which, while it's higher than the national average, still means that 50 per cent of you could be paying too much.

Potentially, more than 1,500 eligible businesses are still failing to make the most of available funding of up to £1,100 per business - which would make a real contribution to reducing costs.

SHDC’s revenue services manager, Jill Dudley, said: "We know that there are many small businesses across the district which are hard pressed financially, and costs are invariably on the increase.

"It is a shame not to take full advantage of this rate relief when it is available. We have publicised it before, but we need to raise its profile once again. I would encourage all small business owners, running a sole business, who aren't already in receipt of the relief to contact us to see if they qualify."

Devon Regional Organiser for the Federation of Small Business, Delia Colegate, added: "A business has nothing to lose by contacting their local council. In fact they could see their non-domestic rates bill slashed by up to half!

"Running a small business is never easy and we would always urge bosses to take advantage of any Government funding that is available to them."

Nationally, just 48 per cent of small businesses have applied for relief with potentially around £400m left unclaimed in England.

Council leaders are urging small businesses to contact their local council urgently to see how much rate relief they could be entitled to.

For more information about Small Business Rate Relief, contact SHDC's customer services team on 01803 861234.