£200,000 of Welsh Government cash is being made available for Mid Wales towns to introduce new measures to help them bounce back from lockdown.

The money will be put forward to help with trading and public safety in Powys' towns, to help them trade while the pandemic continues.

Examples of eligible projects include outdoor seating areas, screening, bollards and planting, the setting up of mini "parklets" – or areas of covered decking to give people outdoor protection from the weather, and electricity supplies to outdoor trading spaces.

“As we start to return to a new normal, it is recognised that social distancing measures will need to be introduced in our town centres to support the reopening of all town centre businesses and encourage people to safely return to the high street with confidence,” said James Evans, Powys Council's cabinet member for economic development.

“As we begin to plan for this safe, resilient future, this is the opportunity to look at things differently, to rebalance our public spaces and to work in partnership to develop safe and resilient towns which #SupportLocalPowys and create happy, strong communities.”

The grant is available for town councils, and legally constituted regeneration groups to make applications that benefit groups of businesses.

All proposals would need to be delivered in accordance with current guidance on social distancing requirements and should not impede pedestrian traffic on pavements, pathways or public realm areas.

The deadline for applications is November 30.