THREE projects in the Barrow and Furness constituency will receive over £500,000 in funding as part of the second round of the Government's £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

In total, the projects will receive £569,400 of funding to help create and retain green jobs and support new nature schemes throughout the area.

The three projects are:

United Bank of Carbon: Restoring Hardknott Forest - £140,900.00

Cumbria Wildlife Trust: Blue Recovery in the Irish Sea - £179,900.00

Cumbria Development Education Centre: Paths to Learning: Active Community Engagement - £248,600.00

Barrow MP Simon Fell said protecting the region's natural environment has been one of his top priorities and has now welcomed the Government funds.

He commented: "Preserving and restoring our precious natural environment is absolutely essential if we want it to be there and enjoyed by our children and grandchildren.

"The £569,400 awarded to these three projects in Barrow and Furness will help restore and safeguard our local natural landscape – creating and supporting green jobs in our community and helping secure a green recovery.

"At the last election I promised to work with the Government to protect our natural environment, and this funding will help to deliver on that promise as we build back greener from the pandemic."