The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced new grants totalling £13m to boost the regeneration of some of the UK’s most run-down town and city centre areas.

The latest grants bring the total awarded through the HLF’s Townscape Heritage Initiative over the past nine years to more than £150m.

Towns and city centre areas awarded grants include Kilmarnock in Scotland, Shepton Mallet in south west England and Chapeltown in Leeds.

Carole Souter, director of the HLF, said: “Heritage Lottery funding has made a much-needed impact – but it’s not just about money. The people who make these regeneration projects happen understand that heritage is essential to the very heart and soul of a place. Moreover, our investment often acts as a catalyst for further regeneration programmes.”

The Townscape Heritage Initiative began in 1998 and targets local partnerships to repair and regenerate historic areas, bring derelict buildings back into use and create jobs. The initiative often focuses on areas that have suffered severe deprivation due to the demise of key industries, such as mining or manufacturing. Details: www.hlf.org.uk