A regeneration scheme in West Cumbria has seen 10 business share a £35,000 windfall to improve the appearance of their premises.

The Pride of Place scheme, launched by Copeland Council in July, awards grants of up to £5,000 for improvements to windows and frames, doorways, external decoration and signage.

Applicants must match-fund their grant, and so far funding has been given to business in Whitehaven, Millom and Cleator Moor.

They include; Sporthouse, The Vine, Shakers, The Senhouse Centre, Savvy, The Flower Basket, Union Hall and Dixons, all in Whitehaven town centre. Also receiving grants are the Town Council building in Cleator Moor and Cambridge House Hotel in Millom.

Joanne Duddy, business owner of The Flower Basket, used her grant to repaint the front of the shop on Lowther Street.

“It gave us the opportunity to reinvest into the business, to make the premises look even more attractive,” she said.

“We’re really grateful for the support of the local council. The process was really straightforward and we’d encourage more businesses to apply.”

Copeland Council has had over 130 enquiries following the scheme’s launch.

Mayor Mike Starkie said: “I’m delighted that the response has been so overwhelmingly positive to this project.

“We’re backing this scheme with £500,000 of council money to attract the same investment from the private sector.

“We all have enormous pride in our borough, and this funding will help us and the community continue to create a place where people are proud to live, work and visit. This council is delighted to be at the forefront of helping to make this happen.”