The Government has said that 10 projects in Northern Ireland will share £71 million of levelling-up funding.

The funding will include £20 million to create a new leisure and wellbeing centre in Enniskillen as part of a new development called ‘Lakeland’, which will provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure and recreation facilities.

£10 million to create new waterfront gardens in the city of Bangor, transforming the former Maghera High School into a new industrial park at a cost of £9 million.

The grants also include a £5.1 million boost for 20 local rugby clubs, including new female changing rooms to help increase women’s participation in sport across Northern Ireland.

There is also £4 million pledged to rescue Belfast’s art-deco Strand Picturehouse.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the investment in historically overlooked areas would create jobs and economic growth.

Mr Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

“That’s why we are backing a number of projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities in Northern Ireland.

“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”

The levelling up vision was previously pioneered by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who promised to “level up” towns and communities across the UK.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said: “From regeneration in Maghera to a brand new wellbeing centre in Enniskillen, the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund continues to deliver across Northern Ireland.

“This latest round of the fund will see £71 million invested in local infrastructure projects to support economic growth, drive regeneration, help deliver net zero and boost pride in place.

“Building on the £49 million already invested from round one of the Levelling Up Fund, this is a fantastic outcome for communities here.”