A lifeline has been handed to Dover’s diminishing high street to prevent it becoming a ghost town.

Dover Town Team (DTT) has been accepted as part of the Healthy High Streets Programme (HHSP) which offers intense support across a three year period.

It is founded and backed by retailers such as Santander, Marks & Spencer, Greggs Bakery, EE, Boots UK and the Co-op.

One of its main strengths will allow DTT to apply pressure to landlords who own unsightly and empty shop fronts in the town centre.

Director of DTT and businessman John Angell said: “The main reason we applied for it is because our team is made up of small independent firms.

“We haven’t got anyone nationally, so this gives us the support from them and a bit more clout."

'This gives us the support from them and a bit more clout.' - Mr Angell

Attention will be paid to creating and organising high profile events to encourage more footfall and more pop-up shops in the area.

This will be in addition to the Bluebirds Market which occupies part of the town every Tuesday from 9am until 3pm.

He said that the scheme will help areas such as Market Square, Cannon Street and Biggin Street merge with the St James' retail and leisure venue.

It is set to be complete by next summer.

Mr Angell said: "Any development in the town centre is a plus because we haven't had any for years but what we have got to do is get the links to it from the development and into the main shopping street so all areas are linked."

A total of 100 high streets in the UK have been picked for the scheme, many of which serve an area of "high multiple deprivation"

The first meeting is set to take place on Monday, August 17 where the team will meet with members from HHSP and representatives from each retailer.

It is set to take up a five hour slot, where both parties will go through an action plan.