PEOPLE in Preston are set to reap the benefits from a major improvement scheme if plans to re-vitalise town centre community services get the green light.

Councillors have already earmarked more than £500,000 for various projects and a list of 29 schemes has been drawn-up to receive a share of the cash.

The extensive list forms the cornerstone of this year's budget, currently under debate by Town Hall finance chiefs.

It includes:

£27,000 to improve the Catherine Becket and Tanterton Community Centres;

around £11,200 to complete resurfacing work on the all-weather pitch adjacent to Moor Nook Community Centre;

and £10,000 to provide public toilets at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.

Most of the money has been pigeon-holed for traffic and environmental schemes throughout the town including traffic calming measures and road safety schemes.

Council leader Coun Peter Rankin said: "This is excellent news for the people of Preston.

"For the first time in a number of years there is enough money available to start making some improvements. A lot of work we hope to carry out should have been completed years ago but had to put on hold because the last government would not allow us to spend money on essential repairs.

"Thousands of local people stand to gain from what we are proposing."

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