A NEW £100 million fund for regeneration projects across Wales has been announced.

Councils and other organisations will be able to bid for a share of the Welsh Government cash for projects which promote economic regeneration.

Announcing the three-year fund, communities and children secretary Carl Sargeant said the cash would be used to benefits communities across Wales.

“There are particular challenges around tackling inequality and developing well-connected and sustainable communities in areas which are economically disadvantaged or blighted by earlier heavy industries," he said.

"We also recognise there are different challenges in rural areas.

“Local authorities and regional partnerships should use these funds to complement and reinforce the other investments we are making to widen prosperity such as the work being pursued under the City Deals, our investment in the Metros, proposals from the Valleys Taskforce and with the work to prepare for Wylfa Newydd (Anglesey nuclear power station).

“I am also keen that this new capital investment should act in support of the other programmes underway seeking to build more resilient communities, including our employability and skills programmes.”

Cash will be available from April next year.