RULES should be amended to allow South Lakeland communities to access a £1billion Government funding initiative, according to MP Tim Farron.

The ‘Stronger Towns Initiative’ is intended to offer significant financial backing to help rejuvenate towns bypassed by major city schemes.

However, the criteria for eligibility to bid for a share of the pot is a 30,000+ population, which excludes Kendal and other smaller towns in the area.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said the rule “feels like an oversight” and has made a formal request for the limit to be reviewed.