The promise came as stakeholders held a summit to discuss ways of bolstering the rural economy.

Rural affairs minister Dan Norris said rural businesses were innovative, committed and contributed hugely to the national economy.

"The government will continue to support rural businesses and communities through the economic recession, and will ensure that they are able to benefit fully from the help we are making available to them."

The rural summit was attended by business leaders, local authorities, community organisations and economic development agencies on Tuesday (30 June).

Meeting in Aylesbury, the summit was organised to discuss how best to maximise the potential of the rural economy.

It is the second in a series of events in the wake of a report to the Prime Minister last year from Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities.

Dr Burgess called for steps to raise the profile of local economies, for example through the creation of rural champions.

Networks should be created to support improvement and efficiency for rural and sub-regional authorities on local economic development, he recommended.

"There are around 1 million rural businesses in England, employing more than 5 million people and with a combined annual turnover of more than £300 billion.

"Today's summit is about how we can work together to raise the profile and aspirations of rural businesses.

"Inspiration and leadership in our rural economies is even more important at this time, to help lift us out of recession which has taken a strong hold in rural areas."

The summit was organised by the commission, the East of England Development Agency and South East of England Development Agency.

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