The Big Lottery Fund has announced the final 50 areas which will receive funding from its £200m Big Local scheme.

The scheme, launched in 2010, is designed to spread funding of at least £1m over 10 years in 150 communities which have traditionally been overlooked for funding and investment. The residents in these communities are given the power to determine how the funding is spent, working in collaboration with local charities, businesses and public sector bodies.

Today 50 areas join the existing 100 areas which have been allocated funding from the Big Local scheme, including the village of Lynemouth in South East Northumberland, which has seen a decline in traditional industries such as mining and recently saw over 500 jobs lost through the closure of a local factory.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund’s England chair, said: “These areas have for many years been overlooked and have missed out on vital funding and resources – they have people who are high on aspiration but until now have been low on opportunity.

“Through our long-term funding, commitment, training and support over at least the next ten years, we will redress that balance; giving them the power, confidence and ability to spend this funding in the ways that mater most to their community.”

A Community Development Foundation-led consortium runs Big Local through the charity Local Trust.

Too see all the areas funded through the Big Local scheme click here.