A GOVERNMENT grant has gone down a treat with a sweet maker.

The cash will pay half the cost of a facelift to Greco Brothers ice cream cone manufacturing factory in Greta Street, Middlesbrough.

Managing director, Peter Rovardi, said: "It was always our intention to improve the factory's outward appearance as it had begun to look a little dated, but with the investments we made in the newly- built units, our own project had to be delayed.

"With the help of the West Middlesbrough New Deal for Communities Business Grant, we can now proceed with the work which will complement other improvements planned for the Newport South Business Park."

Grants of between £100 and £5,000, or a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of works, can be put towards buying capital equipment, building and site improvements, new technology equipment, improvements to shop fronts and marketing materials.

It is part of a package to upgrade a run-down area.