A SOUTH Cheshire councillor has called for £2 million allocated for Crewe youth projects to be shared across Cheshire East borough following the announcement of Crewe's £22.9m Town Deal.

Conservative group leader Janet Clowes, who represents Wybunbury, wants Cheshire East Council to "share the success" after last week's announcement that Crewe is one of the latest UK towns to secure the government regeneration cash.

Crewe Town Board will now work with Cheshire East Council to agree the full package of projects that will go forward, which include providing new youth facilities for Crewe.

Cheshire East Council has already earmarked £2m from its budget for a Youth Zone for the town and now Cllr Clowes wants that money to be diverted for youth provision elsewhere.

Cllr Clowes told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Last Thursday, we heard that Crewe has secured a £22.9m Town Deal as part of the regeneration of Crewe town centre.

"This fantastic news was raised, very appropriately, at the economy and growth committee on the same day as committee members discussed wider budget issues.

"Of course, these monies are earmarked for specific projects including youth facilities on the old Mirion Street site and an eagerly awaited Youth Zone on a new site in the town.

"In addition, there is still grant funding available in the government's Youth Investment Fund which, subject to applications from Cheshire East Council, will help enhance the offer.

"But let's not forget that £2m had already been identified for the Youth Zone in the council's budget (Medium Term Financial Strategy) last February, before the Town Deal had been submitted.

"In the light of Crewe's Town Deal success, let's hope that the £2m in the MTFS can now be released to support similar, new youth facilities, that are just as urgently needed across the wider borough."