THOUSANDS of pounds of regeneration cash could soon be flowing in to enhance the centre of a North Yorkshire market town.

Bedale is poised to take advantage of a scheme that could see improvements to many of the older buildings within the conservation area.

For months, the town's Community Investment Prospectus (CIP) steering group has been meeting regularly to develop community plans for the area.

Now it has agreed to sign up to an initiative that pays for the bulk of restoration and renovation work on old buildings.

Hambleton District Council planning officer Tony Robinson told the CIP steering group that a common problem in many market towns was under-investment in the structure and fabric of old buildings.

In an effort to directly counter that, the local authority administers a special Heritage and Economic Regeneration Scheme - known as Hers.

The scheme allows interested parties, including property owners, the opportunity to bid for up to 60 per cent of the cost of renovation. It focuses particularly on commercial buildings, and the scheme runs for three years.

"This is a real chance to do some major regeneration work in the town centre," said steering group member Councillor Carl Les yesterday.

"With match funding, this could attract many thousands of pounds into the town."

Hers grants have been used before in the town, particularly at Bedale Hall, but the CIP steering group wants to widen them across the town centre.

The group has already identified five blocks of properties around the market place which members believe would most benefit the townscape if renovated.

"In particular, there's what used to be the town hall area, which is now a boarded-up shop," said Coun Les.

The CIP steering group also want to see alleyway pavements and lighting as areas for action under the scheme.

"There are thousands of pounds available over the next three years and the first bids have to be in early in the New Year, so those interested in making a bid should move quickly," said Coun Les.