A MASSIVE £5 million will be ploughed into Redditch to transform the town centre, as part of ambitious plans to to drive the 'Midlands Engine' forward.

The move was announced earlier this week by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Just a day after delivering his first budget on Wednesday, the Chancellor visited the Midlands and announced a total of £17.5 million will be pumped into Worcestershire.

The funding, announced alongside Bromsgrove MP and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, includes £5 million to transform Redditch town centre.

The cash will go toward supporting the development of new homes, and hopes to unlock commercial activity.

A further £4 million will go toward funding a new Engineering Faculty in partnership with Redditch's Heart of Worcestershire College, among other exciting projects in the local area.

Mr Javid said the funding will help create jobs, boost skills and give businesses support.

And leader of Worcestershire County Council, Cllr Simon Geraghty, believes it will improve connectivity, skills and economic growth across the county.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Mr Hammond added the money would help the county achieve its “incredible potential”.

For more, keep checking the Advertiser website.