Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been pumped into businesses and projects in south Cumbria by the European Union, according to new analysis.

More than £1 million has been invested in the area, with fears that future funding will now be lost following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

But Conservatives have stressed the Government will continue to investment in regional projects through the Shared Prosperity fund.

Cumbria has benefitted from £72 million in EU funding between 2014 and 2020.

Furness Academies Trust has received funding for a number of projects in a figure that comes to more than £700,000.

Barrow business Energy4All, based in Ironworks Road, benefitted from more than £230,000 from the EU for a sustainable energy project.

Hindpool Nursery School received a share of an £8,000 project funded by the EU.

Hydraulics company Yarl Hydracentre received £563 in 2016.

Money has been provided under the European Union Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Councillor Shaun Blezard, Barrow and Furness Labour Party’s policy officer said: “The lack of EU funding going forward is a worry for the area.

"The Cumbria Growth Hub reports that the EU funding for Cumbrian businesses between 2014-20 was around £72m.

“We are now waiting on the government to give our communities the investment that was promised during the election.

“There a number of sectors that are worried about how we leave Europe and the effects it will have on business locally.

“Farming and tourism in Cumbria look particularly fragile so we hope they will be supported moving forward.”

He added: “The main thing as communities we need to see over the next few years is proper investment in infrastructure and a return on the promises made.

“There also needs to be a period of reconciliation nationally after the long arguments over Brexit.

“This is something that we all need to be involved in.”

Barrow’s Conservative MP Simon Fell, a supporter of leaving the EU, said the Government was committed to replacing the funding lost as a result of Brexit.

He said: “The equivalent of this funding will be managed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by the UK Government.

“The level of funding will be at least maintained at the current level.

“I would expect to see local authorities and partners involved in the consultation around this funding arrangement later this year.”

Mr Fell said people should not have to worry about the money being lost.

“It’s a direct transition of responsibilities and funding so I don’t see why they would,” he said.

Barrow voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.