EVESHAM town councillors have agreed to contribute £14,000 towards continued improvements to the town under the Market Town Initiative partnership.

Since 2002, the council has given more than £50,000 to various schemes to develop the town and encourage more visitors. The latest instalment of cash will help promote Evesham's Riverside Festivals and also renovate the railings on Abbey Road.

Lewis Hammond, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager addressed members at a meeting on Monday. He said: "I am asking for your support in being able to promote these events (the festivals) on behalf of the town. The majority of the support will go into the balloon festival because I believe that is one that will go a long way."

But Councillor John Smith questioned Mr Hammond about where the funding would be going: "My concern is that we are supporting private businesses. I remember your condition from day one that these (festivals) are going to be self-financing and it is quite obvious that they are not."

Mr Hammond, who stressed funding was used to promote the events, added: "All these events are for the town - it is to bring people into this town and we can be very proud that what we have got is a wonderful town, and now a wonderful environment."

Members were told £3,500 of their contribution would be used to renovate the black Abbey Road railings. A further £3,000 has been earmarked for continued improvements to circular walks and fingerpost signs, also black in colour.

Councillor John Payne said: "There are miles upon miles of black things around the town - it has a depressing effect and other people have made the same comment to me. It is getting depressing now, everything is black and there is no need for it. This does influence people - we want a lively town and an alive town."

Members voted in favour of the £14,000 contribution, with the condition that the money will be identified in the council budget and councillors will be informed of how and when the money is spent.