An extra £5 million is being pumped into Kendal for flood defence projects designed to protect more than 1,000 businesses.

The cash – part of a £65m package of investment announced by Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers – will be spent on three projects that will give 1,151 businesses and 1,480 homes in the South Lakeland town 1 in 50 level protection against flooding.

The Government estimates the additional cash injection into Kendal could unlock additional partnership funding of £6.8m.

Funding from the Environment Agency has already been committed to deliver comprehensive flood defence work in the town.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron, said he was delighted with the pledge for extra funding.

“This is the final piece of the jigsaw and means that local residents and businesses can have confidence that the full scheme will now go ahead,” he said.

“The devastation caused to homes, businesses and the centre of Kendal by severe flooding is well known.”

The cash for Kendal is the biggest of the three funding allocations awarded in Cumbria.

Egremont is set to receive an additional £1.6m – with the potential to unlock a further £5m of funding – for greater flood protection.

Egremont councillor Mike McVeigh said he was “absolutely delighted” with the news.

Meanwhile, Flimby is to receive £400,000 to bolster flood defences in the coastal village, which is home to several major businesses including New Balance and Forth Engineering.

All three communities have been hit hard by flooding in recent years, with Kendal in particular suffering significant damage during Storm Desmond in 2015. 

The on-going implications are still being felt with Victoria Bridge – which carries the arterial A6 road over the River Kent – forced to close twice in two months due to the long-term after effects of the unprecedented storm.

The projects are among thirteen across England to receive funding which the Government says will help to boost economic regeneration and increase prosperity in those areas. 

All but two are located in the Northern Powerhouse region, with seven in Yorkshire, four in Lancashire and two in the North East.

Ms Villiers said: “Events this summer have shown that investing in flood risk management is more important than ever, and this funding builds on our long-standing £2.6 billion commitment to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion over six years.”

Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse, the Rt Hon Jake Berry MP added: “This new funding for flood defences in the North of England adds to the £5.4 billion already invested into the Northern Powerhouse to drive jobs and economic growth, and a record £13bn to upgrade transport infrastructure across the North.

“We’re investing in public infrastructure so that local communities have the support and backing they need to flourish and seize all of the opportunities that come with leaving the European Union on the October 31.”