Ross-on-Wye has been given a £10,000 cash boost after being named as a Town Team partner.

After missing out on becoming a Mary Portas Pilot, Ross and many other towns across the country were invited to try and be a Town Team partner.

As well as the regeneration money, the town will also have access to an advice line and a network ofadvisors, direct mentoring and visits from a range of retail experts, regular meetings with other Town Teams to share ideas and an online community to receive advice and information from retail experts.

“It is fantastic news as the team worked very hard,” said Councillor Andrew Atkinson, chairman of the town team.

“We didn’t get the £100,000, so we will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to see how we can spend the money.

“One of the ideas is to have a social enterprise which will give us experience of shopping and bringing more competition to the supermarkets.”

The money is due to arrive at Herefordshire Council within the next couple of weeks.

“Our video was two minutes long and gave a flavour of the town.

“We are looking forward to get the whole of the community together and have everyone engaged to do something decent with the money.

“We are very excited to have received some money.”

Coun Atkinson added that all the team’s partners will hold a meeting in due course to see how best they can spend the money.