TOWN centre businesses in Darlington are being urged to apply for money to help improve their premises.

The borough council's Shop Front Grant Scheme aims to encourage investment and regeneration in the town centre, as part of its £6.5m pedestrian project.

Officials hope the project will enhance the town centre by reorganising the traffic system and creating a better environment for shopping and entertainment.

Critics have claimed, however, that a ghost town is being created, with many shoppers deserting Darlington.

As part of its plans, the council wants to encourage town centre shopowners to improve the appearance of their buildings.

The authority has £150,000 available for the grant scheme over three years.

Grants are available for 50 per cent of the cost of external work to shopfronts, up to a maximum of £10,000 per property.

The money can be used to refurbish or replace shopfronts in a traditional style. The amount can be increased for shops that face onto more than one street.

To be eligible, a property must be within the town centre conservation area or in a street fronting onto the pedestrian scheme.

Any building owned by the council, a Government department, the Post Office or the owners of the Cornmill and Queen Street shopping centres are excluded from the scheme.

For information about the grants, call Martyn Kendall on (01325) 388604.