Three Havering towns are set to receive �10,000 to focus on developing their town centres.

Romford, Hornchurch and Collier Row were originally put forward for Portas Pilot funding, but did not receive it. But this week The Department for Communities and Local Government announced their Town Team Partners programme aimed at towns that applied for the funding but did not receive it.

The new package will also include support from the Association of Town Centre Managers, an organisation dedicated to helping towns and cities become more successful.

Romford has already seen improvements to the market, a new visitor centre, a ‘shop Romford’ campaign and a new leisure centre, which is due to be opened in 2015.

The new funding will go towards delivering projects that were planned in the applications, and for Romford will include Town Team development, business support, expanding the cultural and entertainment offer of the town, the market and promotion.

The Collier Row application focuses on the development of a new Town Team, driving visitors around the town via a series of events and developing a ‘shop local’ campaign.

In Hornchurch it includes making the most of the cultural events, encouraging creative industries and working with businesses to develop a ‘shop local’ campaign to open up the town centre.

Cllr Robert Benham, cabinet member for community empowerment, said: “I’m delighted that these towns have been allocated money through this programme. The high streets can really benefit from this; I can’t wait to see the plans take shape.

“High streets are really important to residents so it is essential that we can fund development work to improve and update them. We want to give as much support as possible to our local businesses and put high streets at the heart of our communities.”