PLANS for spending £500,000 to regenerate Stourport have been given the green light and residents will have the chance to contribute further ideas.

Regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands, this week approved proposals submitted by town regeneration group, Stourport Forward.

Aspects of the scheme include restoration of Stourport's canal basins, which will be boosted by a £200,000 grant, and a £15,000 feasibility study into improving public areas in Stourport town centre.

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."

The canal basins restoration project - said to be central to the regeneration of Stourport and its surrounding area - will take three years to complete. The £200,000 cash injection represents six per cent of the total funding needed to carry it out.

Managed by British Waterways, it is designed to create and safeguard local jobs and businesses, as well as attracting an extra 225,000 visitors, spending a total of £1.7 million, to the town 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, the canal basins and the riverside. It will provide proposals for improving signage, street furniture and lighting.

A sum of £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 education centres.

A £23,000 community chest fund is being set up to offer small grants to community groups during the next three years.

Young people will benefit from a £4,000 multi-use ball court on the Manor Farm housing estate. That aspect of the scheme will be managed by the Community Housing Group - previously known as Wyre Forest Community Housing - Community Action Newtown, police and the youth service.