NEWPORT has been put forward for the High Street of the Year award.

The Isle of Wight's county town has been entered into the government's Great British High Street Awards, with a chance to win up to £10,000 to help support and deliver improvements to its shopping areas, transport and public spaces.

It follows the Shaping Newport consultation last winter, delivered as part of the Shaping Newport Partnership, set up by Newport Parish Council, Newport Business Association and the Isle of Wight Council.

Cllr Wayne Whittle, cabinet member for business development, regeneration and tourism, said: "After the great work on the Shaping Newport Place Plan, we're joining up with our MP Bob Seely to put Newport forward as a great British High Street worthy of government support."

Mr Seely added: "On the Island, we're lucky to have many vibrant high streets full of independent shops and we want that to continue because it's a part of our Island's unique character."

On-the-ground support and events will also be up for grabs for the winners and there is an opportunity to join in a competition to encourage Island shoppers to use their high street businesses.

Julie Jones-Evans has long been a champion of Newport, as vice-chair of Newport Business Association and Newport Parish Council. She was also an integral part of Shaping Newport.

She said: "We have a fantastic evidence-based plan now, identifying areas to improve upon and a plan of action to deliver, if we win and get the money.

"Town centres are now all about having experiences and being somewhere pleasant, making them places people want to go because they have a nice environment and interesting things happen.

"Winning this prize would be a shot in the arm for us to deliver this quicker, to make Newport more of a go-to place and make people fall in love with our county town."

The award covers the whole town centre area, not just the High Street, which means popular areas such as Watchbell Lane, Nodehill and St Thomas Square are included.

Previous winners include The Cathedral Quarter of Derby, Falmouth, and Norwich Lanes.