LANCASHIRE County Council’s Labour group leader has called for a cash summit with Prime Minister Theresa May and her key aides.

Cllr Azhar Ali, who represents Nelson East, is calling for extra government grants for the authority.

He wants to meet Mrs May, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Rossendale and Darwen MP and Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry to discuss extra cash for major transport projects.

They include: re-opening the Colne to Skipton Line; improving East/West Road connectivity including linking the M65 to Yorkshire; boosting Rossendale’s links to Greater Manchester and upgrading Preston railway station.

County Cllr Ali said: “After the general election Theresa May entered into an agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party who have 10 MP’S and have received £1billion in exchange for their votes in the House of Commons.

“Lancashire has 16 MPs and therefore should receive £1.6billion for desperately needed infrastructure projects across the County.

“We are seeing billions spent on Northern Ireland and HS2 in the South with very little on connecting Lancashire. We always hear of the Northern Powerhouse but we seem to be the ‘Northern Workhouse’.”

A government spokesman said:“Investing in Lancashire is a key part of our plans to build the Northern Powerhouse. "We have already provided £320 million to boost Lancashire’s economy, which includes funding for 17 transport schemes across the county.”