BARROW has been selected as one of 33 towns to be represented in a regeneration programme.

Barrow Business Improvement District (BID) has been pushing to join the programme for three years now, led by Simon Craig, store manager for Barrow's Marks & Spencer. The Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10 per cent, reduce the number of vacant properties by 20 per cent and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over three years.

In early June Mr Craig and his colleagues coordinated a high street clean up with other retail giants such as Boots, Greggs, EE and McDonald's to show that they wanted to achieve a more attractive high street in a very practical way.

Mr Craig's hard work and dedication to the town was rewarded when he was accepted in to the programme after three years of trying. Evidence shows that being a part of this new high street push will certainly affect Barrow for the better - over the last year, the Healthy High Streets initiative brought support and resources worth £17 million from its corporate partners in to 67 UK high streets. Mr Craig, who was just last week appointed as the new chairman of Barrow BID, said: "I am delighted to have been accepted in to the scheme, it is a real triumph for Barrow's high street."

Robin Foale, chair of the Healthy High Streets programme said: "Congratulations to Barrow on being chosen to be part of the Healthy High Streets programme. This is a great opportunity to work with buisness partners and the local high street champions to transform your town and create a thriving, vibrant centre for the local community."