Stoke-on-Trent City Council has welcomed the approval of £20m in Levelling Up Partnership funding, describing the last-minute decision as a ‘relief'.

A council spokesperson said council officers had been contacting the relevant civil servants daily to try to get a decision ‘before the election drawbridge goes up'.

‘With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace,' the spokesperson added.

The funding will go towards improving town centres in Tunstall, Longton, Stoke.

Around £6.5m will support the regeneration of historic buildings and £2.5m will be used to improve recreational facilities.