A TEES town has been announced as one of 33 across the country to take part in a scheme to boost shopping footfall and reduce the number of empty shops.

Middlesbrough is the latest town to be accepted on the Business in the Community’s Health High Streets programme which aims to increase footfall by 10 per cent reduce the number of vacant properties by 20 per cent.

The 33 new towns taking part mean that a total of 100 shopping centres across the UK are now involved in the scheme backed by Boots, EE, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and Santander and Wilko.

Middlesbrough will receive a bespoke package of support, including access to skills and expertise, and dedicated High Street Champions from supporting businesses who will work together with the local partnership team, local authority and relevant local partners to devise an action plan to address the specific challenges facing the town.

The impact results for the three-year programme will be announced in July 2017. During the last year the programme has brought resources worth £17m from its corporate partners into 67 UK high streets.

Cllr Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “It’s often said that the town centre is Middlesbrough’s engine room, and it has a vital role to play in the prosperity of our local communities and the region as a whole. “Despite the austerity of recent years, we have a thriving town centre with a good mix of high street names and a burgeoning independent sector. I’m delighted that we have been included in the Health High Streets programme.”