PLANS are moving forward to regenerate Leigh a year after the town was selected as the borough's choice in a Greater Manchester scheme.

Leigh was selected by Wigan Council to be the local authority's nomination for the Town Centre Challenge which was launched last year by Greater Manchester mayor and former Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

Each of the 10 councils in the region put forward a town to benefit from more housing opportunities, venues for events and public sector hubs as part of the challenge.

And the town hall, who made the decision to select Leigh in a cabinet meeting on December 7, 2017, say "good progress" is being made.

Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at the Council, said: “The public consultation in the autumn identified a number of key sites in Leigh town centre as priorities for regeneration along with the need for better walking and cycling facilities.

"Since this session, good progress has been made.

"Turnpike House is currently being refurbished by its new owners and a planning application has been received to build new homes on the Hilton Park site.

"Further to this, we have been successful in securing £178,000 from the Mayoral Challenge Fund, which will be used to improve the Bridgewater Canal towpath.

"This will be welcome news for the many canal towpath users who are keen to see an end of the 'muddy mile'.

The council confirmed there are more proposals in the pipeline too.

Ms Heron added: “These developments are part of a wider plan for the regeneration and growth of Leigh.

"We remain committed to delivering this and we are currently working on a holistic masterplan for the area that will identify the necessary steps required to secure a more vibrant future of the town.”