YORK businesses are set to benefit from a share of a £5 million flood fund from the Leeds City Region.

The cash assistance, which has been endorsed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, will help small and medium sized enterprises across the region to recover from the effects of the recent flooding.

The fund, which will be managed by the region's Enterprise Partnership, will go a long way to helping businesses get back on their feet, said York council leader Chris Steward.

"It will provide even more support on top of the £70,000 in grants we’ve already paid to businesses here in York, and is in addition to ensuring many are exempt from paying businesses rates."

Deputy leader Keith Aspden said the devastation of the flood was not going to be fixed overnight but the new funding would complement the initial rapid response support that was being provided in York to address the longer term issues and costs.

Further information about the support available to flood affected businesses can be found at www.the-lep.com/floodsupport