AN AREA of Waltham Forest will receive £1 million of lottery funding for local regeneration projects over the next 10 years.

The St James Street area of Walthamstow is one of nine areas in London to receive the funding as part of a £200 million national scheme.

The area has been pinpointed by the Big Lottery Fund as one that has previously been overlooked for funding and investment.

Residents in the area will now be consulted on the best way to spend the cash which can be used for projects including training and employment schemes and new community facilities.

In total 150 areas across the UK have received funding from the scheme.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund’s England Chair, said: “These areas have for many years been overlooked and have missed out on vital funding and resources – they have people who are high on aspiration but until now have been low on opportunity.

“Through our long-term funding, commitment, training and support over at least the next ten years, we will redress that balance; giving them the power, confidence and ability to spend this funding in the ways that matter most to their community.”