SOMERSET districts have been identified as priority places to receive support, announced Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The news was revealed during the Budget which took place on Wednesday (March 3).

Mendip and Sedgemoor are set to receive £150,000 thanks to the £4.8billion Levelling Up Fund, which invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life.

This includes town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects and cultural and heritage assets.

Also Mendip, Sedgemoor and South Somerset will receive £20,000 thanks to the Community Renewal Fund.

The fund is set to support communities to pilot programmes and new approaches as the Government moves away from the EU Structural Funds model and towards the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

To ensure funding reaches the places most in need, the Government has identified priority places based on local need for both of the above funds.

The Government is also contributing £10million towards the renovation and expansion of The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

READ MORE: £10million funding for The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil announced during Budget

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “The Budget provides certainty in the months ahead for the people of the South West – with the cut in VAT to 5 per cent for the hospitality, accommodation and tourism sectors, Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and furlough scheme all being extended through to September.

“This support is complemented by other measures in today’s Budget – and the more than £350billion we have invested since the start of the pandemic to protect millions of jobs and businesses.”