FRODSHAM and its neighbours are set to benefit from a £1.6million cash boost to enhance and develop the area.

Frodsham Forward has secured the investment to feed into Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Alvanley, Manley, Dutton, Sutton and Aston from the Northwest Development Agency.

The news was announced this week and Frodsham Forward members stressed the hard work put in by all the volunteers in the project.

Andy Evans, head of regeneration at Vale Royal Borough Council, said: "This is just the start. The challenge now is for the community and initiative partners to achieve their ambitions."

The money will help fund projects including waterfront regeneration feasibility, land acquisition at Longacre Wood, Dutton, for the One Tree Trail, Frodsham Christmas festival, One Stop Shop, an economic assessment, business forum, jobs fair and loyalty card scheme.

Anne Boyd, project co-ordinator, said: "This is great news and shows that the attention on Frodsham from the borough has improved in the past 12 to 18 months. I am really pleased with the tree trail project for Dutton and it is something that is close to the hearts of the people that we are safeguarding the future of the land."

The Frodsham Forward initiative was set up in 2002 to deliver a market town health check.

Since then it has secured a total of £2.4million to be spent in Frodsham and its hinterland and to deliver an action plan put together by steering groups made up of parish and town council representatives and residents.

The final action plan will be going out to consultation during May at the Frodsham Forward office in High Street on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between 10am and 2pm, and Saturdays, 10am until noon.