Cinderford will be one of the 50 English towns to benefit from the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed today.

The funding could be used to improve transport and access into town centres, convert empty retail units into new homes and workplaces, and invest in vital infrastructure.

The 50 towns - from Dudley to Dover and Scarborough to Stockport - will join 50 successful areas already shortlisted to develop plans to reinvent their high streets.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Our high streets are right at the heart of our communities, and I will do everything I can to make sure they remain vibrant places where people want to go, meet and spend their money.

"But with our town centres facing challenges, we're today expanding the High Streets Fund to support over 100 high streets to regenerate - backed by £1 billion of vital investment.

"This scheme is going to reenergise and transform even more of our high streets - helping them to attract new businesses, boost local growth, and create new infrastructure and jobs."

Communities secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: "High streets have a crucial role to play as we work to grow the economy of all parts of the country. Our £1 billion Future High Streets Fund is key to delivering this, empowering local leaders to help transform their high streets and town centres as consumer habits change, by investing in housing, workplaces, infrastructure and culture."

The towns, including Cinderford, will progress to the second phase of the Future High Streets Fund and receive up to £150,000 to support the development of detailed project proposals that can be submitted for capital funding.

The Future High Streets Fund was launched last year and is a key part of the government's plan to renew and reshape town centres and high streets to drive economic growth and sustainably improve living standards.