A Heritage Lottery cash boost of £750,000 has been secured for some of a town's most historic buildings.

Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough Town Centre Company will use the money to fund a scheme of improvements in buildings around Queen's Square and the railway station - the town's "historic quarter".

In the traditional commercial centre of the town, several buildings have been converted to new uses, but others still need renovating.

The additional funding will stimulate further investment in the area and ensure that it becomes the strategic link between the town centre and the Middlehaven development.

As part of the project the council is employing a dedicated conservation officer to drive forward the programme of improvements.

The project is due to last for five years but discussions are already ongoing with property owners and it is hoped most improvements will take place in the early years.

The executive board member for liveability and the environment, councillor Ron Lowes, said: "The owners of these buildings are the custodians of the town's history and it is vitally important we give them support to ensure they are not lost to future generations.

"This can only be achieved if they have an economical and financially sustainable future."