AN Andover garden maintenance company has been presented with a grant for £500 from Test Valley Borough Council.

RJ Garden Maintenance owner Richard Jenson was handed the cheque by the Mayor of Test Valley and ward councillor Jan Lovell as part of the borough council’s business incentive scheme.

The Business Incentive Grant is intended to make a positive contribution towards the cost of creating a small business in the borough.

Grants of £500 are available to new businesses starting up in Test Valley.

Would-be business owners interested in the scheme need to apply to the council before starting the business.

The business will receive two visits from the council: first to establish whether it is eligible and second after six months, to confirm that the new business is still operating.

This will be determined by producing documentary evidence, e.g.

accounting records, invoices, receipts, bank statements in the name of the business and remittance advice.

If the evidence is produced the grant will be paid.

Richard Jenson trades as RJ Garden Maintenance, which specialises in grass and hedge cutting and all aspects of general garden care in Andover and surrounding villages.

Mr Jenson welcomed the cash boost and said that the grant will go towards buying some new tools and upgrading petrol equipment.