Grantham and other towns across South Kesteven have received a government cash boost to help them recover from lockdown.

SKDC leader Coun Kelham Cooke has described the awarding of £126,455 to the district from the Welcome Back Fund as "fantastic news."

Overall, the Secretary of State Robert Jenrick MP and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government are awarding £56M nationally.

The new nationwide fund will help councils boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more, safer options to reunite with friends and relatives.

Part of this funding will also support coastal areas in the same way as they prepare for a great summer, with funding going to all coastal resorts across England to safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months and have a successful summer.

The funding can also be used by councils to:

Boost the look and feel of their high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets as beautiful and welcoming as possible.

Run publicity campaigns and prepare to hold events like street markets and festivals to support local businesses.

Install signage and floor markings to encourage social distancing and safety. Improve high streets and town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti. Coun Cooke added: "Further information on how this funding will be used will be released shortly and we will be working with our local businesses, stakeholders to make the best use of this money."