Canvey Island and Pitsea communities get £1m lottery money

Two communities in Essex are to each receive £1m in lottery funding to help improve their areas.

People in the Link Road area of Canvey Island and Pitsea Broomfields are being given the money as part of the Big Lottery Fund's Big Local scheme.

Residents will work with Big Local representatives to decide how the money should be spent over the next 10 years.

The money will be used to build new facilities, create employment schemes and tackle anti-social behaviour.

The locations are among 50 in England to be awarded £1m by the Big Lottery Fund.

'Strengthen communities'

It said the money was going to areas that "have a history of difficulty in getting support and funding" and faced issues such as high unemployment or low average wages.

Sara Betsworth of the Big Lottery Fund said: "This funding is going to put residents in these areas at the heart of decision making.

"More than that, it's going to strengthen these communities and help local people to build on their skills and experiences so they can continue to work together to overcome challenges."

People living in the two communities will work with the independent organisation Local Trust to decide on where the money goes.