A town centre is in line for a much-needed facelift as part of a scheme which could see up to £100,000 invested into the community.

Shops, businesses and residential premises in the heart of Wigton are set to benefit from a project which was pioneered by Allerdale Council in Maryport last year.

The authority is setting aside a cash pot for shop owners and householders in the town centre to make small improvements to their premises such as painting shop fronts, replacing doors and windows and to install new signage.

The grants available will be relatively small at a maximum of £900 but Allerdale bosses say if lots of premises can take advantage of the scheme it could have a big cumulative effect.

Civic leaders believed that Wigton's town centre had, like Maryport, become a little tired-looking and was in need of sprucing up if it was to continue to be a popular market town and shopping destination.

Applications are now being welcomed from shop owners and householders with an initial £15,000 to £20,000 in the pot. However, in the new financial year another £50,000 could be injected into the scheme for a fresh wave of improvements in the spring.

Those who apply for the grants are asked to part-match fund their allocation meaning that in total Wigton's high street could see £100,000 worth of improvements made to it in the coming months.

Toni Magean, Allerdale Council's town centre area manager, told The Cumberland News : "If we can get a large number of properties supporting the scheme the just by sheer numbers it will mean the town centre really stands out.

"We're doing everything we can to promote the scheme around Wigton and we'll even be going to knock on doors to tell people about it.

"It was one one of our walkabouts around Maryport that we thought some of the buildings were looking a bit sad and we thought we needed a low-cost grant scheme to help out. It worked really well.

"We thought Wigton isn't too far behind Maryport and that we could help out and brighten some properties up. The focus is certainly on Wigton."

Grants are available to all those who own properties in the town centre, though priority will be given to properties in High Street, Market Place, King Street, Church Street and Water Street.

Business leaders in the town have welcomed the scheme.

Jane Hollick, from Bron-Ja of Wigton, a wedding wear shop in High Street, said: "It's a great idea, anything is welcome that will help Wigton.

"We had Toni at our business forum meeting on Monday night to explain everything.

"The town needs it. I think that if the front of the buildings look nice then it will make the town more attractive and really help give us a boost."

Mark Fryer, the council's executive member with responsibility for economic growth and town centre development said: "This is a great scheme which has already worked really successfully in Maryport and so it is great to be able to roll it out to the people of Wigton too.

"I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get an application in and help make Wigton even more attractive for residents and visitors."

The deadline for applications is December 31.

Applicants are expected investigate whether they would require planning permission or other consent for any works they wish to do.

The application can come from tenants, though they must have the approval of the landowner.

* Application forms are available from Allerdale Borough Council's customer service desk in Wigton Market Hall

Any queries should be made to the council's town centre manager, Toni Magean, at toni.magean@allerdale.gov.uk.