MP Steve Barclay will host an event to help arts and sports groups from across North East Cambridgeshire secure extra funding.

The NE Cambs MP will hold a ‘funding day’ to raise awareness within the Fens about what grants are available from bodies such as the Arts Council, Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund.

Since being elected MP Barclay has discovered that the area has not received a single ‘grant for the arts’ from the Arts Council in the last three years.

He said: “It is time our cultural heritage and sporting bodies in the Fens was better recognised by national and regional bodies.

“There is also a responsibility on us as a community to be better at identifying potential cases for funding and constructing a case that meets the criteria of these funding bodies.

“The lack of funding is not just limited to the arts, as I have found this is part of a wider pattern where sports and community groups also receive well below the national average.”

The event will be held at MP Barclay’s office in the South Fens Business Park, Chatteris, on September 29.

Any arts, sports or community groups wishing to attend the forum must contact Alan Brace, his senior parliamentary assistant, on 01354 697808 or by e-mail at alan.brace@parliament.uk as registration is required for the event.