Efforts to revitalise the historic town centres of Keighley and Pontefract, Yorkshire, are to receive a share of £2.75m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Keighley will receive £2m towards the conservation of Victorian and Edwardian civic and commercial buildings, while repair work could be eligible for grant aid. Training and community activities will also be provided to help encourage property owners to get involved with the restoration efforts.

Meanwhile, Pontefract has been awarded £750,000 to enhance the town's historic features and boost the local economy, as well as encouraging tourism to the area. HLF head for Yorkshire and the Humber Fiona Spiers said: "These two very different, yet equally special historic Yorkshire towns can now look forward to the far reaching benefits of the investment this scheme will bring.

"It will help the two councils to make essential improvements to these areas and repairs that will encourage both local business and visitors back into these historically vibrant area." Both towns have received the funding as part of the HLF's townscape heritage initiative.