TRADERS in Pontypool's ailing town centre are celebrating news its on-going regeneration is to get a a boost.

A £556,000 grant - a slice of £5m available for projects throughout Wales from the National Assembly - will go to an independent development trust, which aims to to buy up Pontypool's many derelict shops and renovate them.

The premises will then be sold on or rented to new tenants, and the top floors become residential, with local firms carrying out the conversions.

Other schemes in the Regeneration Partnership committee's three-year plan include:

Renovating the Riverside car park and closing it at night to end the vandalism which drives shoppers to park elsewhere.

Erecting lights to illuminate the exteriors of some of the town's more attractive buildings. l Re-siting and promoting the outdoor market which will have to move once the Crane Street shopping development starts.

Improving entrances to Pontypool such as the steps next to Kwik Save.

The trust is made up of representatives from Torfaen council and private industry. Businessman Mark Greg-ory, owner of the Bread of Heaven cafe in Commercial Street, and member of the trust, told the Argus: "We all need to pull together and make a determined effort in the town to restore faith and confidence.

"I do believe that Pontypool has a future and can thrive as a shopping centre. "Blackwood and Caerphilly have both turned their fortunes around and I am sure we can."

Lee Eaton, the deputy manageress of the New Look women's fashion store in the town centre, added: "It's great that an effort is being made to attract new shops to the town which it so desperately needs."

Terry Baker, a books and bric-a-brac stall owner in Pontypool market, said: "When the new shops start comingthen I'll sit up and take notice."

Councillor John Marshall, the chairman of the regeneration partnership, said: "This funding will put us in a position to make some very real improvements."

*PICTURED: From left, Councillor John Marshall; regeneration officer Andy Windeer and Councillor Mike Jeremiah