Cornwall is set to benefit from a multi-million pound cash boost, after the Government allocated funds to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth.

Sajid Javid, Communities Secretary, made the announcement last week, stating that £18 million has been confirmed for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

This is expected to help the area attract private investment of up to £52 million, taking the total package to nearer £70 million.

The award to the Local Growth Funding is on top of the £60.2 million of Growth Deals funding already awarded to the partnership, and £8 million Coastal Community funding.

Sajid Javid, Communities Secretary, said: "This Government backed Cornwall with major powers and resources in the first devolution deal for a county.

“Today we’re pledging millions of pounds of extra funding for business projects across the county and the Isles of Scilly, so local leaders can create jobs, improve infrastructure, and help the Cornish economy reach its full potential.”

Mark Duddridge, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership chairman, said: "We were proud of our ambitious bid for local growth funds and while we welcome this investment, which takes our total growth deal value so far to more than £78 million, we will continue to strive for additional funds to accelerate economic growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and close our wages and productivity gap with the UK and overseas.

“We look forward to working closely with Government to develop these further investment opportunities.”

The £12 billion Local Growth Fund equips local leaders with the cash they need to invest in and support locally determined projects.

Bids are highly competitive and Local Enterprise Partnerships need to work with partners to agree strong and accountable governance and put forward proposals that boost growth and bring in private sector funding.

Over £9 billion of the fund has now been awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships through three rounds of Growth Deals, helping more than 1,000 projects get started across England already.

In Cornwall £1 million was invested in seven new low floor buses for Truro Park & Ride, £3.5 million for the A38 Cornwall Gateway and £5 million for the Train Care Centre in Penzance.

The new funding will be invested in science and innovation projects, a culture, heritage and innovation programme and the Local Enterprise Partnership's workspace programme.