SHOCK figures show Leigh is losing out on millions of pounds of Lottery cash.

Charity bosses have dished out grants worth a national average of £176 per head from their six 'good causes', covering art, sport, heritage, education, health and the environment.

But so far Leigh has only received £22 per head of the local electorate - a gaping shortfall of £154 per person!

Now Government ministers have drawn up emergency plans to redress the balance after a specially commissioned report highlighted Leigh's grant gap.

Experts say the town has missed out on money, along with other former coalfield areas across the country, while millions of pounds were ploughed into inner city flagship schemes.

But this week Culture Secretary Chris Smith announced new measures which should see extra cash directed towards Leigh.

He said: "The Government is determined to see that coalfields areas get a fair deal from the distribution of lottery funds.

"The figures released today show that more and more lottery grants are being awarded to coalfield areas, but in general they have still received far less than the national average and there is no room for complacency."

A special action team will now be set up to help distribute good causes lottery cash.

And towns such as Leigh will be actively encouraged to apply for grants, with successful bidders passing on tips to would-be applicants. Wesley Rourke, senior funding officer for Wigan Council economic regeneration unit, praised the Government plans which will boost the town.

He said: "We welcome the proposals set out by Chris Smith. For a long time now the coalfield communities have not benefited like other areas.

"In Wigan we try to help any organisation which comes forward with potential schemes."

Since March 1995, £19 million of Lottery cash has been injected into the borough.

But Leigh is still fairing badly compared with other coalfield areas. Bridgend in South Wales receives £59 per person and Lichfield £81.

Andy Burnham, a Government special adviser who is on Labour's short-list to fight for Lawrence Cunliffe's seat, is one of the team working to ensure towns like Leigh receive extra cash.

It is believed if the Xanadu project is given the go-ahead, the current Lottery grant gap would swallowed up as millions of pounds flooded into the town.