Communities in seven areas across England are set to benefit from up to £178.7m in new Town Deals, communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced.

Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Darlington, Peterborough, Norwich, Torquay and Warrington are the first of 101 places to be offered a Town Deal.

These areas will be able to implement proposals submitted to the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund, which is designed to create jobs and drive growth across the country.

Blackpool will receive £39.5m from the fund to update the Blackpool Illuminations and Torquay will get £21.9m to modernise its town centre.

Peterborough will get £22.9m for – among other things – a skills centre for green technologies, enterprise hub and a new pedestrian bridge.

‘This Government is levelling up opportunity all across the country. We are unlocking the full potential of towns and communities, giving them the support that they need to thrive and the seven Towns Fund Deals that I am announcing today mark the start of locally designed regeneration projects across the country,’ said Mr Jenrick.

‘Backed by £180m, we are boosting skills, job creation and connectivity in these seven towns – providing investment and confidence at a crucial time for these communities.’

The Prime Minister announced in July 2019 that the £3.6bn Towns Fund would support an initial 101 town deals across England.

A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between the Government, the lead council and the Town Deal Board that sets out a strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision.