PICTURED above is the bold new look of a £350,000 modern day amphitheatre which is in line to give Middlewich a huge shot in the arm.

Building work is poised to go ahead at the Bull Ring site in the town centre in a project expected to boost businesses and create new recreational facilities.

More than £236,000 is being pumped into the scheme by Congleton Borough Council in the bid to develop the site in partnership with English Heritage, the Northwest Development Agency, Middlewich Town Council and Cheshire County Council.

Design options for the project went out to consultation earlier this year and the emphatic vote was for the amphitheatre design to echo the town's Roman past and provide a venue for entertainment and public events.

The war memorial will be moved within the site following a request from the Royal British Legion. The project is expected to be completed at the end of March.