People are demanding to know where a £1million grant intended to help revive a run down area of Borehamwood has gone.

The Leeming and Aycliffe (Leecliffe) areas - one of the most deprived parts of the town - were given the money by the National Lottery in 2011 to run the 'The Big Local Project'.

But four years on, the evidence of that money is yet to be seen and people say the area is suffering as a result.

Kelly Kent, who lives in Broughinge Road in the Leecliffe catchment area, is furious about the situation.

The 47-year-old is one of the driving forces behind Funky Friendz Youth Group, which will open in September, and would like to see some of the money given to the club.

She said: “It’s all very untoward and very abysmal. So little has been spent but nothing has been done – why is that?

“It’s frustrating because Funky Friendz ticks all the boxes but we’ve got no answers. There is so much need in the area and the money is just sitting there, idle. It’s meant to be public money.

“It’s crazy. It’s like this town wasn’t awarded any money at all, it is one hundred times worse than it was four years ago. I am concerned about this lack of communication.”

In October 2012, six areas of need were identified following a consultation period - families, youth, over 55s, minorities, health and education.

Some of the money has already been used to provide day trips for single parents and their children and workshops to help people find jobs.

Grandmother Michelle Fawcett, who lives in Gateshead Road, said the community is looking for answers.

The 48-year-old said: “It worries us – you don’t know what’s happening. There’s so much it could be used for.”

Community Action Hertsmere and the Big Local Shop were originally designated to run the programme alongside the Big Local Project, but this relationship ended 18 months ago.

As a result, the Big Local Project was not able to access the money and has been searching for other providers.

It is now preparing to launch the project for the second time this November - and says it will continue as planned.

Borehamwood town councillor Anna Coleshill, who represents Labour, is part of the advisory committee.

She said: “I want to be involved. I’ve lived in the area all my life, it’s that area the million pounds was designated for and I want to help out in any way I can.

"They say they will launch again in November. I have no reason to believe that isn’t true and I’ll keep trying to contact them intermittently.”

In a statement, Jill Hutchinson, the new representative of the Big Local Trust’s Leecliffe project, said: “There have been some internal issues, so things haven’t been happening for a little while.

“I will be supporting the committee and helping them refresh their local plan as it hasn’t been looked at for 18 months.”

Heather Walsh, who represents Community Action Hertsmere, said: “We have not been involved in this project for more than 18 months.

“I know it is confusing that the Community Shop has a Big Local sign on it – we are in the process of getting this changed.”