THE prime minister has named Barrow among the towns due to benefit from a boost of up to £1m to fund improvements.

Towns across England that have successfully been selected to receive investment via the Government’s Towns Fund will benefit from a share of £96m to accelerate investment in their town centres and high streets this year, Boris Johnson announced.

As part of this, Barrow will receive between £500,000 and £1m to spend on projects such as improvements to parks, high streets and transport.

Barrow is among 101 areas selected for the Governments Town Deal, which promises to pump millions of pounds in towns that are successful with funding bids.

The announcement brings the first tranche of money from the fund to help each area meet some of the challenges they face as a result of the pandemic and invest in projects to improve the town.

Simon Fell, the Barrow and Furness MP, said: “I am delighted that Barrow will receive at least £500,000 from the Stronger Towns fund this year – ahead of schedule – enabling local leaders to accelerate plans that will transform our area and help the borough to thrive as we move beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

“I welcome the prime minister’s commitment to invest in infrastructure to unite and level up the country as we come through the coronavirus pandemic."

Mr Johnson announced £5bn in funding to bring forward infrastructure projects coming out of the pandemic.

Mr Fell said he would be ‘fighting to ensure our area gets its fair share’.