A GOVERNMENT minister is backing calls for Worcester's High Street to become a place for living - saying he wants to see more flats above shops.

Communities Minister Marcus Jones has voiced his support for the city's 'Living Above the Shops' (LOTS) campaign, saying it could inject more life into retail areas.

The backing has sparked hope the Government could offer some sort of incentive for converting more unused commercial space into apartments.

As your Worcester News revealed last year, the LOTS campaign was launched by Louis Stephen, the chairman of the city's Green Party, who said too many upper shop floors are lying idle.

A push to turn more of them into flats has won support from some city councillors and MP Robin Walker.

Mr Walker hosted a special briefing in parliament on Wednesday with major retailers like John Lewis and Asda ahead of Chancellor George Osborne's March Budget.

He has now written to Mr Osborne to call for more help for shops, and took part in a parliamentary debate to press the minister, saying help to "reduce the burden on our city centres" and high streets is "vital."

Worcester's MP also wants to see the promised reform of business rates become a reality.

On his backing for the LOTS campaign, Mr Jones said: "While there is a lot of good news for high streets, in some places retail spaces that have seen better days remain.

"The Government cannot and will not rest on their laurels - and I'm working hard to develop a range of support to help high streets thrive.

"I strongly believe we have reached a crossroads for high streets and town centres. "We need to act to make them fit for purpose for today’s consumer.

"My vision is for high streets to be vibrant and viable places where people live, shop, use services and spend their leisure time during the day and in the evening."

He said more opportunities to live in city and town centres was seen as "crucial" within the Government, adding that it was something he is "looking into currently".

"High streets and town centres are great places where many young people may well want to get on the ladder to buy their own homes," he added.

After the debate, Mr Walker said: "It was great to see the minister engaging with the important agenda of living above the shops.

"I'm hopeful that along with rates reform, we can see more progress on this too in the upcoming Budget."

Mr Osborne will unveil his new Budget on Wednesday, March 16.