These funding deals range from seaside towns like Hastings and Hartlepool to the historic market towns of Bedford and Bishop Auckland.

Cash is being targeted at breathing new life into neglected areas or unused buildings by creating spaces for businesses, community events or new homes.

Among the bigger funding allocations, Hartlepool will invest part of its £25m deal in a new Health and Care Academy and a Civil Engineering Institute to boost local skills as part of plans to support more higher-skilled, higher-paid jobs in the local area.

Doncaster will use its £24.8m to upgrade Doncaster Station Gateway and build cycle lanes and walking routes.

While Hereford will use its £22.4m to invest in electric buses and regenerate the museum, library and art gallery.

In the south, Hastings will use £24.3m to build a Low Carbon Centre of Excellence and make improvements to the Castle.

Latest Build Back Better awards

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, said: “We are levelling up towns and cities across the country by building stronger and more resilient local economies, boosting prosperity and opportunity in our communities, and helping them build back better from the pandemic.

Funding will support locally-led projects to transform disused buildings and public spaces, deliver new green transport and create new opportunities for people to develop new skills.”

Today’s announcement means that 83 Towns Deals have now been agreed – totalling over £2 billion investment in communities across England.