BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock has met with a group to secure funding for sports and recreation projects.

Stephanie met with Sport England in Parliament to discuss opening up specialised funding for sports and recreation in coalfield areas.

The discussions surrounded the national organisation’s ‘Community Asset Fund’, which will seek to deliver £2 million for sports and recreation projects in former mining communities.

The funding is part of Sport England’s aim to increase the health and physical activity in coalfield areas, and the Barnsley East MP is hoping plenty of that money finds its way to groups in Barnsley.

She said: “Barnsley, like so many other coalfield communities across the country, has too often in the past been left behind and ignored when it comes to funding from the government for local sports and recreation projects.

“The money delivered by Sport England could make a huge difference to organisations and miners’ welfare clubs in Barnsley, and the many people who use their facilities to keep active and healthy.

“I’ll be reaching out to local groups and encouraging applications so as much of this money as possible can reach Barnsley, and I encourage any organisation thinking of applying to contact me for any help required.”