SHOPKEEPERS in Paddock are being urged to get involved in plans to revamp the area.

Cash is to be made available to provide a facelift for shops and other business premises.

And retailers may be give up to half the cost of improving the look of their shops, up to a maximum of £5,000.

Clr Mohan Sokhal, Labour councillor for Paddock, said: "I welcome this scheme, which tackles many of the problems I have been campaigning about for a very long time.

"This is not a handout and is not about assisting individual retailers to improve their business.

"It's about improving the overall appearance of the area and giving the people of the area the opportunity to renew their pride in Paddock," added Clr Sokhal.

Money for the scheme is being made available as part of the District Improvement Scheme, backed by regeneration company Huddersfield Pride and Kirklees Council.

Also planned as part of the scheme are the landscaping of empty sites, the provision of off-road parking, stone-cleaning of dirty buildings and improving the look of shopping areas.