Historic England has revealed the reasons behind Midsomer Norton being chosen as one of 69 towns around the country that will have their High Streets regenerated.

As reported on Saturday (see the red button below), Midsomer Norton will receive a share of £95 million of government money to boost its High Street via a heritage project, which will be planned by Historic England.

The funding is aimed to help High Streets compete with online shopping and to make them desirable destinations at the centre of life in towns.

Historic England says Midsomer Norton was chosen because it is a medieval market town with an extensive conservation area that needs investment.

It has suffered from a loss of trade to other, larger centres nearby, with only one in five residents using Midsomer Norton town centre for shopping.

The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone at Old Mills will generate 1,700 jobs and there will also be 2,470 homes built across the whole Somer Valley area, which provides great potential to increase footfall and custom.

According to Historic England, the refurbishments and regeneration proposed will allow The Island area, Town Hall and marketplace to act as a focal point of daytime and evening footfall, hosting a variety of events to complement the High Street.

A spokesperson for Historic England said: "Improving the damaged but still attractive historic environment, shop fronts and public realm at The Island within the wider regeneration and growth strategy for Midsomer Norton, would substantially contribute to reversing decline.

"It would kick-start the town centre regeneration as a desirable destination for shopping, leisure and services for communities across the Somer Valley."