STOURPORT-on-Severn canals and streets are set for a facelift after half a million pounds was earmarked for the town - some of which will be used to provide cheap scooters to help people get to work.

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands this week gave the green light to proposals submitted by Stourport Forward - and local people can have their say in how the money is spent.

The money includes £200,000 to help with the restoration of the canal basins, plus £15,000 for a study to find out how to improve public areas which will look into proposals for improving signage, street furniture and lighting.

And another £12,000 has been set aside for a Wheels to Work project which, over three years, will help provide affordable scooter hire to people on low incomes to enable them to travel to work or college.

A £23,000 community chest fund is also being set up to offer small grants to community groups during the next three years, while young people will benefit from a £4,000 multi-use ball court on the Manor Farm housing estate.

Liz Durnell, Stourport Forward's programme manager, said: "This is a very exciting time for Stourport, as we can now take forward our ideas and start developing projects within the local community to really make a difference to local people.

"We will be holding a series of public meetings in September and will invite more local people to join us and contribute their ideas."

It will take three years to restore the canal basins, with the 200,000 cash injection representing six per cent of the total funding needed to carry it out.

Managed by British Waterways, it is designed to safeguard local jobs and businesses, as well as attract an extra 225,000 visitors, spending a total of £1.7m, each year.

Wyre Forest District Council will manage the Stourport Pride feasibility study to research and advise on enhancements to key public areas around Stourport town centre, as well as the canal basins and the riverside.