NEARLY a quarter of a million pounds is being spent on giving Clitheroe a facelift.

This year alone, £115,000 will be spent on sprucing up the town and £100,000 will be spent on initiatives to boost the economy.

Ribble Valley's purse-holders met in January and agreed to a three-year capital programme - but that draft was considered 'unaffordable' at the time.

But the proposals have since been reviewed by Budget Working Group and Corporate Management Team and Clitheroe is set to benefit from a massive £2,613,860 investment by the end of 2018.

This year, the Clitheroe 'townscape' will be given a £115,000 uplift with work to improve shop fronts, streets and public features.

The money includes £100,000 to pay contractors and £10,000 to spend on materials, although £60,000 of the bill would be footed by Lancashire County Council.

The authority will also try to secure third-party funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other external partners.

Regeneration chief Colin Hirst said: "The scheme would support the attractiveness of Clitheroe as a tourist destination and enhance the commercial attractiveness of the centre providing growth opportunities for local businesses."

A second scheme, costing £100,000, will offer support for anyone looking for land and premises to develop and also for tourism infrastructure.

A report written by Mr Hirst and Adrian Harper adds: "The project is to establish a general source of pump-priming and pre-investment funding.

"Early projects include identifying options to deliver employment land, schemes to support high growth business opportunities and necessary infrastructure to support our rural business base including tourism.

"Specific schemes would be subject to member agreement and public consultation as appropriate."

Ribble Valley Council leader Stuart Hirst is glad that funding has been confirmed.

He said: "I am delighted that we have been able to set aside funds for improvements to Clitheroe town centre as part of a multi-agency scheme involving Lancashire County Council and other partners.

“As well as supporting the attractiveness of Clitheroe as a visitor destination, we hope the scheme will enhance the commercial viability of the town centre and provide growth opportunities for local businesses.”