Castle Point was today in line for a share of £15.4million after the Government acknowledged it was one of the worst constituencies in the country for attracting lottery grants.

The Heritage Lottery fund has earmarked Castle Point as one of six development areas in the East of England in need of funding.

Today it was being treated as a victory by the borough's councillors and MP who have fought hard for recognition.

Tory councillor Norman Bambridge said: "It is recognised by the Government we are one of the lowest constituencies in the country for receiving grants.

"The application process has been acknowledged as quite complex and this has put a lot of people off in the past.

"In a bid to rectify this, we are now a target area which is good news.

"A realistic application would now be between £5,000 and £50,000."

Published Thursday, June 5, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo