A WISH list of Stourport improvements has been put together.

Stourport Civic Society has written to businesses as well as Wyre Forest District Council outlining possible target areas.

Stourport could receive up to £500,000 from Advantage West Midlands' Market Towns Initiative to boost its economy and help create new jobs.

The development agency upgraded the town's priority status this summer - but any grant would have to be matched pound-for-pound.

Suggestions include new brown tourist road signs advertising the "Georgian canal town", harmonising shop frontages and dealing with neglected properties, particularly in Bridge Street.

Improved disabled access, a museum and upgraded riverside seating are among other items on the wish list.

Civic society chairman Pauline Annis said: "The Market Towns Initiative will hopefully bring the necessary funding to start putting right some of the problems that are holding back economic development.

"Stourport has considerable potential, particularly for tourism, but the town's 'blighted image' is getting in the way and needs to be turned around."