FIVE Cumbrian towns are set to benefit from £50million funding.

The Borderlands Partnership Board has announced the 'exciting plans' for five Cumbrian towns as part of the Borderlands Place Programme, a major programme to support the development and renewal of towns across the Borderlands region.

The five towns in Cumbria are Dalton-in-Furness, Egremont, Penrith, Ulverston and Wigton.

A 'Place Plan' for Longtown is also due to be developed by Carlisle City Council.

The plans will now be developed further, leading to more detailed Town Investment Plans.

Through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, £50m has been committed by UK and Scottish Governments to the Borderlands Place Programme.

This will target investment in places that will help boost economic activity across the region and recognises the importance of our smaller rural market and coastal towns to the local economy.

The development of Place Plans for each town in the programme will 'help communities and places set out their vision for the future of their place'.

Each town will then apply for dedicated funding through the preparation of Town Investment Plans.

The Programme will provide up to £50m of funding across the Borderlands region over the next 10 years, with £20m provided by Scottish Government and £30m from the UK Government.

It is a 'central part' of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and will support local towns and their growth through a series of Place and Town Investment Plans.

It will ensure that more places in the region will benefit from direct investment in their towns.

Cllr Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council and Borderlands Partnership co-chair said: “We are delighted to start work on this exciting programme to support town improvement right across Cumbria.

"These plans, developed in collaboration with local communities, aim to make town centres vibrant, resilient and attractive places for people to live and to work – and such ambitions are central to both the Place Programme, and the overarching Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.”

The £452 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a regional investment programme jointly supported by the UK and Scottish governments and local partners.

The Borderlands Partnership is made up of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council.