Businesses in Hull are expected to be able to apply for grant funding from the end of the week when an online form goes live.

Hull City Council will distribute £58m in funding to firms in the city – with 4,000 businesses expected to be eligible.

The local authority is setting up an online facility for business-owners to enter details, allowing money to be paid directly into bank accounts.

The form will soon go live on the council’s website - hull.gov.uk.

But business-owners are urged to make sure they enter correct information to ensure the money is delivered to them as quickly as possible.

The council is administering the grants on behalf of the Government, alongside other local authorities across the country.

Full details about the Covid-19 Grant Funding Schemes can be found on the council’s website.

David Bell, Hull City Council’s director of finance, said: “We are working hard to put in place new software that enables businesses to apply for the grant funding, and then for the system to pay the money to businesses bank accounts.

“We anticipate about 4,000 businesses in Hull will be eligible. As this is unprecedented, we need to make sure the system is working correctly.

“Subject to final testing, we expect the online form to go live by the end of the week. For those businesses already known to the council, once they have completed the form online it is expected that the money should be with them in a matter of days.

“While we are writing to all businesses that we believe will qualify, they will not need a letter from the council in order to claim through the online form.”

Businesses are encouraged to look at the council’s website - hull.gov.uk - from Friday for updates on when the online form will be available.

Businesses contacting the council are urged to email business.support@hullcc.gov.uk to ensure a quick reply.

Those without email access can call 01482 300301.