Eight run-down town centres across the UK are in line to receive a share of £10m to fund a range of regeneration projects as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The confirmation of the THI first-round passes will enable local organisations to work towards revitalising town centres through the conservation of historic buildings, while also creating new jobs and training opportunities. More than £2m has been set aside by the HLF for the regeneration of Keighley, West Yorkshire, and Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, while Rothesay on the island of Bute is set to receive more than £1.5m. A further £1.25m has been earmarked for Wigan in Greater Manchester.

Other town centres set to benefit from the THI funding include Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland (£625,700); Pontypool (£899,500) and Bridgend (£562,300) in South Wales; and Pontefract in West Yorkshire (£788,500). Meanwhile, Creswell Model Village in Derbyshire has received a grant increase of £220,000 for a £10m project to refurbish the remaining 161 properties in the former mining village, which has already received two HLF grants totalling £3.2m.

In April, the HLF also announced that three of Wales' most deprived towns - Aberdare, Dolgellau and Flint - would share a total of £2.75m as part of the THI scheme. Carole Souter, HLF chief executive, said: "Our research shows that these schemes can really help turn local economies around, not only by improving how run-down historic towns look and feel, but also by prompting business start-ups and creating new jobs.

"This investment means that eight more town centres will enjoy the far-reaching benefits of this highly successful initiative. Looking after our heritage is an incredibly effective way of supporting community life generally." The THI initiative was established more than 10 years ago, with the latest funding announcement taking the scheme's total investment to more than £200m.