A "one-off opportunity" to regenerate Glastonbury through £25 million of central government funding is starting to take shape.

Glastonbury was one of a handful of UK towns selected by the government to develop a "town deal" to drive future economic growth and regeneration.

Mendip District Council has been given £140,000 to start this ball rolling, putting together a board to draw up the "town deal" plan to achieve these aims through different projects.

The council can then bid for further funding in the summer to put these projects in place.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government published a list in September 2019 of 101 towns which would develop "town deal" proposals.

Each deal must be designed to "enable regeneration, improve connectivity, improve skills and drive new investment" in the local area.

Glastonbury was one of only two places in Somerset to be selected – Bridgwater being the other.

Both towns will be able to bid for up to £25 million, as part of the government's £3.6 billion Towns Fund.

As part of the funding process, the district council must put a "town deal board" in place by the end of January – which will include representatives from local councils, businesses and voluntary organisations.

The deal was discussed by the council's cabinet when it convened in Shepton Mallet on Monday evening (January 6).

Councillor Peter Goater, portfolio holder for economic development, assured the council the first board meeting would be held "by the end of January".

He said: "We aim to have the projects confirmed by the summer of 2020, when we will apply for funding. Of course, there is no guarantee we will get funding."

Council leader Ros Wyke described the deal as "very much the beginning of long-term travel in terms of supporting Glastonbury".

Councillor Tom Killen – who held the economic development post before the last elections – said the council should get the best possible deal for Glastonbury through this project.

He said: "It is a very good paper, and I commend what is stated in it.

"I hope this is properly resourced, as it is a one-off opportunity for Glastonbury."