A MULTI-MILLION pound town centre improvement scheme should be extended to include a private shopping precinct, according to a councillor.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ben Ord has called on Sedgefield Borough Council to extend its Spennymoor street works project to Festival Walk.

Coun Ord said: "What is the point of doing all this good work if Festival Walk is not updated and the public facilities are not brought up to scratch?

"After we've spent £3.5m upgrading the town centre it would be daft not to do all we can to encourage the owners of the precinct to follow suit. We must try to complete the package for the good of the town's residents, visitors and businesses."

A council spokesperson said it cannot fund regeneration work on a private site, but could work with the company to develop the site in keeping with the rest of the new-look town.

He added: "We are currently in discussions with the owners of Festival Walk with a view to carrying out improvements to the Festival Walk area."

The council also hopes to generate investment and brighten up the area by offering two grant schemes to traders.

Major grants offer up to £20,000 to businesses to change a shop front by replacing windows, signs and disabled access.

Minor grants can cover half the price of enhancing a shop front image, up to £1500 which has to be match-funded by the shop occupier, with repairs, decoration and security upgrades.

For details, call town centre manager Wendy Benson on (01325) 307270.