AN HISTORIC area of Newport is to be returned to its former glory with the help of a £1.5million grant.

The Assembly executive awarded the cash to the council to spruce up buildings in the Lower Dock Street area in Pill.

The area was once a bustling commercial hub but declined when Newport's port and heavy industry ebbed away.

Now the council will use the cash in phase two of an ambitious plan to regenerate the area.

Councillor Ron Jones, a Pill ward councillor, said: "I welcome this wholeheartedly. We've been trying to get this grant for a long time.

"It's the next step in the regeneration of the Pill area. We've done some fine work in phase one at the Chandlery restaurant, the Nash building and the Riverview Club.

"This money will go on doing up buildings in the rest of the area and should make a huge difference. Work will start as soon as possible."

Property owners in the Lower Dock Street conservation area, which includes side streets such as Ruperra Street and Dolphin Street, will be invited to apply for a share of the grant.

The council will then weigh up the merits of renovating each building before allocating the cash.

Councillor Laura Buchanan-Smith, of the Pill ward, said: "Anything we can do to uplift and improve the area is very welcome. We want people to have pride in the place they live in.

"This area is part of the town's heritage. It will perfectly complement the exciting plans for new development and a riverside park in Pill."

Councillor Jones, who is also the cabinet member for transport and sustainable development, said: "There's still a lot of work to be done. We're awaiting the result of another grant application to improve the environment of the area."

The grant was part of nearly £17m of Assembly funding to revitalise historic and community facilities in 23 projects across Wales, spread over the next four years.