MORE money has been made available to breathe new life into older buildings in part of Darlington town centre's conservation area.

Over the past three years, the borough council has worked with English Heritage and regional development agency OneNorthEast to encourage owners to improve property in the Northgate and High Northgate areas.

The project, known as the Northgate Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme, provided grants to help improve the historic gateway to the town.

And to build on the success of the scheme, a new project called Partnership Schemes in Conservation Area is being set up.

The scheme will continue to help to restore the look of traditional buildings in an area stretching from Central House, in Northgate, to the High Northgate railway bridge, with grants available to repair missing or damaged architectural detail.

The council's cabinet has provided £100,000 for 2005/6, which will be matched by English Heritage, who have also offered the same sum for 2006/7.

Property owners will be able to apply for partial grants to carry out improvements and the scheme is expected to generate up to another £200,000 in private investment per year in the area.

Coun David Lyonette, the council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, welcomed the development.

He said: "This scheme will help improve the condition, appearance and economic and social prospects of one of the most historic gateways into Darlington."

Improvements carried out under the original scheme included the reinstatement of a traditional-style shop front and two first-floor bay windows at 172 Northgate, which is now a soft play centre.