A STAGGERING £14 million will have been spent on improving and enhancing the town by next April, it has been announced.

Redditch Council has been pouring money into various schemes for the last 12 months and more projects will benefit from cash injections this year.

The news follows an executive committee meeting last Wednesday, when it was agreed to spend £30,000 on a new dial-a-ride bus for disabled and elderly people.

Councillors also decided to inject a further £100,000 into revamping two sports centres in Woodrow and Matchborough.

Facilities, including the changing rooms, will be improved at Kingsley Sports Centre and Arrow Vale Sports Centre.

Mr Cartwright said the council had already committed £500,000 to improving Forge Mill Museum.

And he said there was still extra money available to add to the £1 million already allocated for the Palace Theatre.