Shops in a Herefordshire town are to be offered money to improve the look of their buildings.

Leominster Town Council is introducing the Shop Front Improvement Grant to help businesses raise the image of the town centre with locals and visitors.

A town council spokesperson said: "Leominster’s historic centre contains the main retail area of the community. For this reason, the appearance of shop fronts, and the buildings of which they are a part, has a considerable impact and influence on the character of the town."

"A shop front that has been designed to reflect the character of the building and its surrounding area can add charm and vitality, making it attractive to shoppers and visitors alike."

A budget of £10,000 has been allocated for the scheme, to fund a minimum of 20 grants of £500.

Priority for the scheme will be given to the main shopping streets in the town.

These include Broad Street, West Street, High Street, Corn Street, Butchers Row, Corn Square and Etnam Street.

County councillor Felicity Norman said: "It's a really positive move forward for Leominster. We have a lot of listed buildings in the town and it's obviously an expensive business to look after them so any financial support to help look after them is most welcome."

She added: "We have a lot of volunteer organisations such as Leominster in Bloom and the town's litter pickers that spend a lot of their free time trying to keep the town looking its best."

"This scheme will hopefully help to compliment their hard work and dedication."