An MP has called on the government to help councils deliver vital upgrades to infrastructure.

Oliver Dowden, MP for Hertsmere, has made the announcement following the borough's unsuccessful bid for £3m from the £2.3bn housing infrastructure fund.

The programme is designed to support communities across the country cope with more housing and growing populations.

Mr Dowden has written to the Rt Hon Sajid Javid asking for steps the government is taking to ensure local authorities like Hertsmere to deliver "vital" infrastructure communities need.

Speaking this week, Mr Dowden said: "It is crucial that if our communities grow they are supported by the right infrastructure, so we have enough school places, good healthcare facilities and efficient transport links. This is something I push for as a minister, for example through my membership of the cross-government working groups looking at these issues.

"My letter to the Housing Secretary is just the latest part of my campaign as Hertsmere’s MP to make sure that our borough gets the infrastructure we need.

"I welcomed the government’s creation of the housing infrastructure fund, and I have requested that the Secretary of State write to me setting out what other action the gvernment is taking alongside this to help local authorities such as Hertsmere."