MILLPORT'S seafront will soon be changed forever with more shopfronts set for a makeover as part of a £1.5 million regeneration scheme.

The revamp is gathering pace with work on another four shopfronts set to be overhauled.

These include Pots & Pets, Cumbrae Yarns, The Sweet Shop and Mapes of Millport.

With work already underway, the first two shops are expected to be complete by the end of this week.

Shops to already benefit from the scheme include Marina's beauty salon and the Deep Sea takeaway, pictured.

A further five designs were approved by the council, with the number and scale of further shopfronts to be transformed subject to the available budget.

The redevelopment work is part of the the Millport Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), a grant programme providing financial assistance for the regeneration of historic properties. It also aims to improve streetscape by restoring traditional shopfronts and architectural details to their original glory.

Councillor Alex Gallagher, Cabinet Member for Economy, said: "Millport is a beautiful island and we hope our Millport CARS scheme investment will reinvigorate this iconic seafront and make a positive and long-lasting contribution to the regeneration of the area. It will help to boost the local economy and hopefully encourage further private investment."

Conservation repairs on two priority projects are also underway with another two following in the autumn.

The priority projects currently on site are at 37/38 Stuart Street and 1-3 Churchill Street, along with the old bank at 32 Stuart Street.

A further sum of £120k has also been allocated for public realm improvements within the project area and the council is currently looking for additional funding streams to maximise this.

This will be delivered at a later stage and subject to other proposed developments in the area, including the flood defence scheme and the marina.

A programme of heritage-led activities will also be delivered as part of the project to actively engage local communities and visitors with the history and heritage of Millport. This will include training opportunities in traditional building skills for local men and women.