Business owners are reminded there is further financial support available for them.

Business support grants are automatically being paid by Dorset Council to qualifying businesses.

All businesses that successfully applied for the local restriction support grant addendum for the second lockdown will receive payments and do not need to go through an application process to receive funding.

The council has sent emails to 3,500 businesses to confirm they will receive two payments next week.

Qualifying businesses include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality.

Councillor Gary Suttle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for finance, commercial and capital strategy, said: "Lockdown and the pandemic continue to have a severe impact on businesses so we're working hard to get this much-needed support out to them as quickly as possible, without the need for more form filling."

Businesses that have not yet applied for a support grant but think they are eligible can complete an online for on the Dorset Council website.