LOCAL MP Mary Creagh has welcomed a new £50m lottery fund aimed at keeping village and community halls going.

Ms Creagh, MP for Wakefield, wrote to the Big Lottery Fund this summer on behalf of Yorkshire Rural Community Council.

She highlighted the lack of funding available for local community sites.

The MP, who represents areas including Kirkburton and Shelley as part of her Wakefield constituency, said: "I was concerned that Yorkshire has received virtually no money for community buildings for the last three or four years.

"Village halls and community centres act as a focal point for rural areas and give local people the opportunity to come together as a community."

She added: "I'm delighted that the Big Lottery Fund have responded by creating a capital fund which can make real improvements in rural areas."