Concerns have been raised about "low number" of Ribble Valley companies applying for business rates relief to ease the impact of the pandemic.

But council officers have stressed all the recommended applications are entirely legitimate, follow government rules and reflect the non-domestic rates system, which recognises businesses using multiple units.

The Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund, which local councils are administrating, is designed to help firms not assisted in other schemes.

Councillors have agreed to initially approve £161,000 worth of reductions to business rates payable by 28 Ribble Valley applicants. A further round of business rates relief is due this summer.

The borough council has received just over £1.2 million from the fund, with the first application period for local firms ending in February.

The council had 33 applications. Five were rejected because applicants had already received help through small business rates relief or a retail discount scheme.

The 28 remaining recommended applications were discussed by councillors at the latest meeting of the borough’s policy and finance committee.

An appendix report to the committee detailed the 28 recommended recipients. These include transport, wholesale, auto trade supplies, laundry and signage businesses.

Freight firm Whittle Eastern Europe Logistics is listed five times for buildings at Hey Road, Barrow.  Other organisations include Thwaites Brewery at Mellor and the University of Central Lancashire, which has an observatory at Longridge.

The North West Police Benevolent Fund is also listed for St Michael’s Lodge at Langho. Lancashire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs is listed for a building in Clitheroe.

Independent Councillor Robert Thompson said: "The second phase will no doubt have a flood of applications from businesses.

"It’ll mean a lot more work for council staff but hopefully that additional pressure on them will be a one-off. ”

Conservative Cllr Ged Mirfin added: “Thirty-three applications seems a pretty poor return.

"I’m not sure how that would compare with other authorities but only 28 passed the hurdle."

He questioned whether the scheme could not have been better marketed.

Councillors agreed to award each applicant relief at an initial rate of 50 per cent of the rates payable for 2021/22. This will result in a total of just over £161,300 being granted.

A second application period will be opened after the start of the new 2022-23 financial year.