Ashfield MP Lee Anderson met Chancellor Rishi Sunak ahead of securing early accelerated funding from the Towns Fund for Sutton and Kirkby.

“It means that £1.5m is coming our way, which will go towards the repurposing of high street shops, a new play area, a cycle route from Kirkby to Sutton — and the purchase of land for mixed use and cash for Portland Training College,” Lee said.

“This is just the start and is part of the Towns Fund deal, worth up to £50m, secured for Ashfield.

“I promised when I was elected that I would get more money for Ashfield and I will keep pressing Government every day to make sure we get our fair share.

“I asked Number 11 for the cash and they have given it to us.”

The Towns Fund was set up by the government last year to level up the regions.

Both Sutton and Kirkby were successful in their bid to be considered for the funding.

Proposals should seek to drive long-term economic and productivity growth through investment in connectivity, land use, economic assets including cultural assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure.

Lee Anderson is pictured, above, outside 11 Downing Street, where he met the Chancellor.