Shropshire villages win £1m in funding

A rural part of Shropshire is to receive at least £1 million in lottery funding over the next 15 years.

Gobowen, St Martins and Weston Rhyn, a group of villages near Oswestry, are one of just 50 places across Britain and the only one in Shropshire to be chosen for the massive cash injection.

Just 150 places will eventually be named as recipients of the Big Lottery Fund's Big Local Trust programme.

The neighbourhoods have all been chosen because people face social obstacles and have a history of difficulty in getting their hands on resources.

Big Lottery Fund officials say they want to bring lasting positive changes to Gobowen, St Martins, Weston Rhyn and their residents.

Shropshire Councillor for Gobowen and Selattyn, David Lloyd, said the investment could not have come at a better time.

"This is a vital shot in the arm for the area at a time when there is the need for every encouragement for communities to pull together for the benefit of all," he said.

An independent charitable trust will be set up to run the programme of funding and Councillor Lloyd said the communities would deci- de how to spend the money.

Other areas of Britain to be chosen range from Barrow in Cumbria and Oldham in Greater Manchester to London's Brixham.