EMPTY shops in Boston are to be given a £50,000 makeover as part of an initiative aimed at improving the town's appearance.

Funded through a £52,631 Government grant, the My Boston scheme will see more than 25 disused shops tidied up and given new-look frontages.

It will also see the former Sketchleys and Card Fair stores in Strait Bargate turned into a Community Hub, with 16 voluntary and community groups including Boston BID, Age Concern and Home Start already lined-up as potential residents.

Boston Borough Council portfolio holder for regeneration, Cllr Richard Dungworth, told the Target: "This will help lift the appeal of the street scene and is a great idea.

"Boston has done especially well to qualify for a full share of the money available to 57 towns and cities across the country."

Work on the Community Hub is due to begin next month and the two shops will be leased by the council for an initial 12 months from owners Texas Group at a peppercorn rent of £1 per year each.

The other vacant premises will each be branded with the My Boston logo designed by students from the Giles School in Old Leake, while residents are being asked to submit ideas, designs and artwork for what they think should be displayed in the shop windows.

Council officials say these will be developed and all the original artwork used will be displayed at the Community Hub as an Art In The Community project.

A final aspect of the project will feature a grant scheme set up to offer new retailers that move into empty shops funding towards business rates for their first year.