Funding has been secured for a pilot scheme to revive empty buildings on Bangor's High Street.

Cyngor Gwynedd says £2.25 million will be spent on attracting new businesses, encouraging visitors and providing more housing in the city centre.

Nearly £1 million has been secured from a Welsh Government programme as part of the Bangor Empty Property Initiative, which is also being supported by the council's town centre loans fund and the private sector.

Cllr Medwyn Hughes, cabinet member for economy and community, said: "Empty properties remain a pressing challenge for our towns and communities, and nowhere is this more evident than in Gwynedd's only city and its important sub-regional centre."

"This initiative marks a significant step forward in tackling these issues by working closely with property owners and re-establishing channels of communication that may have been lacking in the past."

"Our hope is that the Bangor empty property initiative will not only play a vital role in the regeneration of Bangor, but also create a model that can be replicated across Gwynedd."

Already, a register of empty properties has been developed to tackle the growing number of vacant shops and businesses.

Owners, who have been contacted directly, told the council that a lack of financial support has been an obstacle towards redevelopment.

Now, grants of up to £200,000 will be made available to owners who are part of the pilot - with talks being held about refurbishing and adapting empty buildings to make them more appealing to new businesses and tenants.

The council says it hopes the pilot will help encourage more mixed use of High Street buildings, which in the long term, leads to the regeneration of the High Street and the wider city centre.

Local Government Secretary Jayne Bryant said: "I am delighted that that the Welsh Government is supporting the Bangor empty property initiative, which will bring lasting benefits for local people, businesses, and visitors alike – delivering the sustainable regeneration that our communities need and deserve."

"The Welsh Government's regeneration strategy is supporting communities across Wales, including in Bangor, by bringing more empty homes back into active use and breathing new life into our town and city centres."