Basildon firms have benefitted from millions of pounds of council funding, to keep them afloat in the coronavirus crisis.

Basildon Council has processed hundreds of grant applications to help keep businesses going through the pandemic, totalling more than £5.8million.

Hundreds of companies across the borough were handed the cash boosts.

Labour leader of the Basildon Council Gavin Callaghan said business have the council’s total support.

He said: “We’re doing everything possible to keep our borough’s businesses afloat through this extraordinarily challenging environment.

“This has been a heroic effort by our officers and our IT teams who have to be able to turn this around so quickly to ensure we are in a position to get this money to businesses as soon as possible.

“The outstanding team at the council worked their socks off over the weekend to process 417 grants and get almost six million pounds to our businesses in need.”

Some 306 business received £10,000 each, and a further 111 businesses got £25,000 each.

Cllr Callaghan added: “We know this only means around 25 per cent of business have come forward and secured their money. More businesses can access support so I encourage people to get in touch to see if they are eligible.”

To check eligibility, go to www.basildon.gov.uk.