HRH The Prince of Wales visited Jaguar Land Rover's Halewood operations today as part of a series of visits to support UK manufacturing. His Royal Highness toured the production facility meeting young apprentices and speaking to employees building Land Rover Freelander 2 vehicles.

Announced today, Land Rover, in a partnership with The Prince's Countryside Fund, is supplying five Freelanders to support rural communities across the UK.

Working together with The Prince's Countryside Fund, Land Rover will offer bursaries to five individuals or groups who can demonstrate how the use of a Freelander for a year would enable them to support their rural community. They could be a young entrepreneur starting a rural enterprise, an apprentice hill farmer or an organisation offering transport to rurally isolated people or access to training opportunities for young people dedicated to building a sustainable future for rural communities.

Victoria Harris, Director of The Prince's Countryside Fund said: "We are delighted that Land Rover has committed to supporting the Fund. The bursaries will make a real difference to five rural communities and as one of the UK's leading employers, it is great that they are offering support to fledgling rural British businesses and entrepreneurs."

Victoria continued: "It is amazing to be here at Halewood today seeing these young engineering apprentices building the Freelander vehicles that will be going on to support five rural communities, it really shows how investment into UK industry can have a far-reaching impact."

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover UK said: "Our agricultural industry is central to the UK economy and as a British manufacturer we realise the support needed to not only improve the sustainability of farming and rural communities but to encourage young people to want to be an integral part of the future of the British countryside. We are committed over the next three years to help HRH Prince Charles and The Prince's Countryside Fund reach these goals."

More detail on application criteria and selection will be announced later this year.