IF you travel through Lowesmoor and give it barely a glance, uninspired by its faded exterior, you could easily be the kind of person who might think it's unloved. But that would be making a huge mistake.

The bus-lane saga of 1996 - was it really almost five years ago? - proved just how much affinity residents, traders and shoppers have for the area.

Now that affinity's about to be put to the test in the shape of the £140,000 which has been pledged by English Heritage and Worcester City Council to help pay for the transformation of the area.

The money will only be available to owners who apply for grants to restore their frontages and, at the very least, are able and prepared to match the handout.

Will Scott, the city's principal conservation officer, calculates that - if every last penny of grant cash is awarded - it will mean a total of £2m being invested in Lowesmoor during the next three years.

If you have an affection for the Faithful City, and the irresistible link between its past, present and future, you'll find that today's Front Page make encouraging reading.

That's especially the case when you consider the separate plans for Lowesmoor industrial estate being discussed between developers and the city council.

Then think of the possibilities, if St Modwen's redevelopment of Tallow Hill emerges as we hope it will.

The city certainly needs it to, for two reasons among many.

Firstly, we've endured the years during which it has been nothing more than a bombsite.

Secondly, a successful transformation will mark another vital step away from the shameful Rape of Worcester. Nothing like it must ever happen again.

Will Scott's challenge reinforces that.

"Let's get spending," he has told Lowesmoor. Yes, let's.