A £6-MILLION makeover of St Helens town-centre's shopping areas is set to begin in April after the project secured a slice of European funding.

Regeneration Minister Jeff Rooker revealed a £2-million grant from the Merseyside Objective One programme will allow the revamp to get underway.

Church Street and Church Square will be remodelled, with architects finding inspiration from ideas that have helped regenerate towns and cities in Germany, Sweden and Spain.

A recent survey revealed local residents believe town centre renovation is badly needed with the current streetscape being branded 'dull and oppressive'.

The same design team behind the George Street cultural quarter project will be tasked with the transforming the shopping area over the next three years.

Among the plans are for public artwork, cycle lock-up facilities, recycling bins, new high level street lighting and feature lighting for key buildings. St Helens Council is pumping £3.8 million into the initiative with the remainder coming from the Government's single regeneration budget.

Mr Rooker said: "Town centres need updating at regular intervals to make sure they remain places that people want to visit and that businesses want to trade from.

"Anyone who has redecorated their own home will know the boost a few well-chosen improvements can provide. This redevelopment will make the town centre fit for the 21st century and make a massive difference to the way it feels".

St Helens Council chief executive Carole Hudson added: "The town centre is a key economic driver and this scheme will make it competitive with other local shopping centres which are undergoing improvement works.

"The centre has a strong local usage and loyal customer base and these latest improvements will compliment the award winning work, which has taken place in the nearby George Street area. It will build on that success to the benefit of people who live, work and shop in this popular retail location".