Seven UK city and town centres are in line to receive a share of £10m under the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme after the schemes were given initial support.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has earmarked funding towards projects that aim to help repair and preserve historic areas as part of wider regeneration strategies. Prescot Town Centre in Knowsley is in line to receive the largest share after being awarded a first round pass towards a £1.89m grant for the restoration of buildings and shop fronts.

Dalby Square in Margate, Kent, has been earmarked to receive £1.8m and Parkhead Cross, Glasgow, is poised to secure more than £1.7m. Ballymoney Townscape, County Antrim (£1.5m); Coatsworth Road, Gateshead (£1.4m); Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (£1.2m) and Colwyn Bay, North Wales (£841,000) are also set to receive support.

HLF chief executive Carole Souter said: "We're determined to help regenerate areas that are currently struggling and in need of additional encouragement and an injection of much-needed cash. "The Heritage Lottery Fund set up its THI programme to help exactly the sorts of local projects featured get up and running - this is just the first step but it is a hugely positive one."

Image: Parkhead Cross, Glasgow