MPs are to debate the issue of local authority funding.

The backbench business debate is due to take place on Thursday (10 October).

It follows a petition signed by thousands of rural residents and councillors calling for fairer funding from the government for rural communities.

Three MPs will be in charge of the debate: Neil Parish (Tiverton & Hoverton), Nick Harvey (North Devon) and Robin Walker (Worcester).

The government's funding formula for local authorities means urban councils currently receive around 50% more money per person than rural councils.

A Rural Fair Share campaign to encourage the Government to address the ongoing disparity in funding between rural and urban areas is being led by Graham Stuart MP.

The petition calls on the government to reduce the funding gap to 40% by 2020.

The Rural Services Network is collating all signed petitions for the campaign – which is just part of the network's planned parliamentary activity to ensure fair funding for rural areas.

Mr Stuart will then present the signed petitions to parliament.