Eighty five businesses in Maryport town centre have been given a facelift thanks to an Allerdale council scheme.

Allerdale provided a total of £85,000 worth of grants to business owners to help cover the costs of improvements, with another £44,800 provided by the businesses themselves.

The scheme is now being rolled out to Wigton.

Mark Fryer, executive member responsible for economic growth, said: "This is a great scheme and proves you don't have to spend lots of money to make a huge difference. I’m really pleased to see the results in Maryport."

Meanwhile work has progressed on other properties in the town.

Building work has begun to improve the state of a 28 Senhouse Street, which had fallen into disrepair. It was taken on by the council after it was left with no known owner.

Initial work involved clearing the property of mess left from pigeons and animals which had made the building their home over many years.

The next stage is to make the building water-tight, safe to enter and do what is necessary to prevent any more animals and birds getting in to it.

A survey will also be undertaken to determine what would be the best long-term use for the property.

Carni McCarron-Holmes, executive member responsible for housing and a Maryport councillor, said: "It's great to see work starting on the building in Senhouse Street. It is a main street in Maryport and the work we're doing on it will do much to make the town even more inviting to visitors. I'm also so pleased that we meeting our commitment to providing safe and affordable housing to people in the town."