A CASH pot of £500,000 has been set aside to help boost businesses in deprived areas.

Tendring Council has put forward the money to help companies in the Assisted Area Status parts of the district.

Clacton, Brightlingsea, Harwich, Manningtree and some villages were given special status last May due to high levels of unemployment.

But it is still uncertain what the title means.

At Tendring Council's cabinet meeting Labour group leader Ivan Henderson said: "I don't think businesses are seeing what the advantages are and what they will get from it.

"It would be useful if that information is delivered to the businesses to explain the benefits of Assisted Area Status."

Council leader Mick Page, said the cashpot was set up as no money was coming to Tendring for this new designation.

"We haven't really got what Assisted Area Status really means," he said.

"I've spoken to people all over the place and we really haven't got anything coming from Europe or Government."

A leaflet is now to be drawn up to give information and guide businesses on what the status could mean for them, which is thought to include tax reductions.

Alan Goggin, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “It is important that we identify firms in areas covered by Assited Area Status and provide them with the valuable support they need to grow."

The £500,000 has been included in the 2015/2016 budget.