BBC searches for enterprising villagers

The BBC is looking for enterprising villagers to star in a new television series.

With rural village life in decline, the BBC wants to uncover "untapped business potential" that could help transform local communities.

In April, a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses suggested that rural businesses and the tourism industry have suffered in the recession, with eight in 10 seeing costs rise, and close to half (46%) facing a slump in trade.

Villagers with business ideas can now apply for a grant of up to £400,000, and a chance to feature on Village SOS, through the Big Lottery Fund.

The BBC is also looking for entrepreneurs to fill six £30,000-a-year 'Village Champion' roles which will see them manage the winning community projects.

From the applications, 18 villages will be shortlisted for a development grant of up to £10,000 and will choose a Village Champion to help them develop a business plan.

The six villages with the strongest business ideas will receive the full £400,000 grant, as well as the Village Champion salary, and will feature on the BBC series.

The deadline for applications is 14 August, with the programme airing in winter 2010.

Sir Clive Booth, chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "While rural village life is in decline we believe that many villages are sitting on a range of untapped potential that, with the strength of the community behind them, can be turned into thriving businesses.

"Village SOS will leave a genuine legacy for each of the villages involved and ultimately, we hope, will inspire other villages, showing them what can be achieved when communities work together."