UP to £162,019 could be given to help Bridgwater develop plans to regenerate the town centre.

More details have been announced by the department of Communities and Local Government which could see 100 towns across England benefit from a cash boost.

Two Somerset towns have been shortlisted as part of the ‘Town Deals’ project, which the government hopes will regenerate town centres, boost businesses and improve infrastructure.

Each of the participating towns, including Bridgwater and Glastonbury, will now receive a share of £16.4million of government funding to help them access the £3.6billion fund.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “This government is committed to levelling up all parts of the country. We created the £3.6bn Towns Fund to help businesses grow, connect communities and give people the skills they need to succeed.

“But no place is exactly the same. That is why we want to help local people in Somerset to decide how this investment of up to £25 million in each town from the Government can help create new businesses, new jobs and new homes for generations to come.”

Sedgemoor District Council must now put together a Town Deals Board before January 2020, then produce a Town Investment Plan no later than Summer 2020.

Mendip District Council must do the same to be within the chance of getting up to £140,000 for Glastonbury.

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth Rt Hon Jake Berry MP said:

“We are giving local people in Somerset the money and power to decide what is best for their town because they know their community’s unique strengths.

“Together we can build on the billions of pounds the Government has already invested in our towns and the thousands of new jobs and businesses it has delivered, to level up these places across the Northern Powerhouse and beyond.”