A west Cumbria community has been offered a multi-million pound government funding boost to help develop its local economy.

Cleator Moor’s £22.5 million boost, as part of the Government’s Towns Fund, would go towards creating new jobs, improving transport links, and revamping cultural and tourist attractions.

The Cleator Moor Town Deal board, with the support of Copeland Council, made the application for a share of the £600 million fund that was available.

Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, said: “I am thrilled that this significant investment for Cleator Moor has taken a major step forward, and I’d like to congratulate everyone from the Town Deal Board and Copeland Borough Council who have worked so hard on the bids thus far.

“We also thank the NDA and Sellafield Ltd for their continued support.

“This investment that has been offered will help create a sustainable – and prosperous – future for this wonderful town.

“It will encourage employment, harness growth and innovation, improve health and wellbeing, facilitate regeneration, and enhance our visitor economy, transport and accessibility.

“We now look forward to working with the Town Board to work up the project detail.”

Across England, 26 other towns also shared in the fund of over £610 million.

The fund is part of the government’s multi-billion levelling up programme.

Conservative MP for Copeland, Trudy Harrison, said: “As the Member of Parliament for Copeland, I am proud that this government has delivered on its promise to regenerate our towns.

“For the residents of Cleator Moor, this is the most significant public investment in living memory.

“The scope of these programmes is unparalleled and will kickstart the much needed change that the town deserves.”

The Town Board and Copeland Council now have a short window to formally accept the outline offer, followed by a further year of work to develop the projects to the point of investment.

Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, Kayleigh Daniels, said: “This really is fantastic news for Cleator Moor.

“Over the past years, even decades, the town has been home to so many passionate people with a desire to do good for our town. This result really feels like the culmination of all that hard work.

“As a board we are already fully bought-in to Cleator Moor as the place to be to set up a business, raise a family, and socialise with friends; but with this money and the proposed investments, we can build on this momentum, while laying a solid foundation for future generations to build on for years to come.”