Edward Leigh, the Member of Parliament for the Gainsborough constituency which includes Market Rasen, welcomed the Government’s commitment of funding to Market Rasen’s successful ‘Portas Pilot’ bid.

“I was delighted when the Minister rang me up on Friday with the news and I welcome the funding the Government is providing through the Mary Portas pilot scheme,” Mr Leigh said.

“Very few towns in England have been chosen, but it’s not really the funding that’s important so much as people in Market Rasen coming together in the right spirit of things to rejuvenate a market town. This news is very good for Market Rasen and I have every confidence those involved in this endeavour will succeed in their efforts.”

The scheme selects towns with comprehensive plans to rehabilitate and rejuvenate their high streets. Just twelve towns across England were chosen, and the Lincolnshire town’s successful bid was organised by the Market Rasen Business Improvement Group, (MR BIG). The Government will select a second batch of twelve further pilot towns in July.