PRESCOT has been chosen by government to receive £1.5m of funding as part of a drive to regenerate historic towns.

The town is one of 69 high streets across the country set to benefit from a £95m funding boost through Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone initiative.

The selected projects will now work with Historic England to develop plans to revive their high street over a four-year programme.

Historic England will work with councils and communities to deliver physical improvements and cultural activities to regenerate high streets and to restore local historic character.

Knowsley Council says its bid identified "a number of buildings that require restoration" and in turn lead to new uses for those sites which generate increased leisure and cultural footfall in the town centre.

There will also be improvements to other public places while work will look to further strengthen partnership working across the town.

Prescot is already undergoing transformation with buildings being restored thanks to the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative and work has started on the Shakespeare North Playhouse, with improvement work planned for Prescot train station.

The town has also seen bars and restaurants open or planning to open, helping to boost the evening economy.

Prescot was also named the winner of a national competition to fund £10,000 worth of Christmas lights earlier this month.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said “Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said “This is fantastic news for Prescot. We want our town centres to be thriving and offer something for everyone.

"By everyone working together, we can achieve more and I look forward to seeing the plans develop, working in partnership with businesses, the community and Historic England.”