AN ambitious project to spruce up a town centre is well on the path to securing funding after submitting a proposal to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Skelton Townscape Initiative is designed to bring a number of public realm improvements as well as preserve and restore the east Cleveland village's heritage.

Focusing on the centre of the conservation area, the works aim to bring back the character and architectural features which have been lost in recent years. It is hoped that with the heritage of Skelton being brought to the fore, local businesses can use it as a unique selling point to bring in visitors.

Councillor Mark Hannon, cabinet member for economic development, said: “The council is committed to working with our community partners on this project and we would like to thank everyone has supported the Skelton Townscape Initiative by giving their time or funding to make sure the public realm improvements go ahead.”

The application to the Heritage Lottery Fund requests funding to cover 70 per cent of the project’s costs while the remaining 30 per cent of funding for the scheme has already been sourced from a number of local businesses as well as the council’s East Cleveland Investment Initiative with a number of volunteers agreeing to assist the process.

A decision on HLF funding is expected shortly and, if the initial proposal is accepted, the scheme will be developed in detail from the New Year until September, it is then hoped to start the delivery of the scheme from January 2016 to December 2018.

The council will be working in partnership with Skelton Villages Civic Pride and the Tees Valley Rural Community Council in this community led project.