MILLIONS of pounds have been pumped into businesses and projects in Carlisle by the European Union, according to new analysis.

Substantial investment has been put in the area, with fears that future funding will now be lost following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

But Conservatives have stressed the Government will continue to investment in regional projects through the Shared Prosperity fund.

Cumbria is said to have benefitted from tens of millions in EU funding between 2014 and 2020.

An interactive map at myeu.uk charts the areas that have seen investment.

In 2017, the EU invested nearly £85m to support 3,528 farmers around Carlisle, according to the data.

And 21 research project received nearly £3m in funding.

Seven projects were shown to have been given £7m of investment to create jobs around Carlisle.

Businesses that have received investment Crown Packaging Manufacturing, with £150,000 contribute by the EU as part of a research project.

Kingmoor Park Properties Limited was given £760,000 to fund 25 per cent of its development.

Money has been provided under the European Union Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Conservative councillor John Mallinson, the leader of Carlisle City Council, backed the Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, intended to replace existing EU funding.

He said: "I think it's a very important initiative by the Government.

"I think it's important that businesses just don't fall off a cliff.

"I really don't want to see them suffer.

"We have lots of wonderful businesses in Cumbria and I want to see them get support so they can go on to get bigger and better."

Residents in Carlisle voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union at the 2016 referendum.

Sixty per cent of voters placed a cross in the leave box at the poll.

After years of negotiations the UK officially left the EU on January 31.