MORE than a £1 million of investment is set to go ahead in a Selby community this summer.

After four years of planning and preparation, Sherburn-in-Elmet's Selby Renaissance programme team are set to begin work on a transformation of the centre of the village.

The Central Square project is due to begin in June and will see £1.4 million of improvements, funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

A spokesman for the renaissance team said: "Sherburn has excellent road and rail links and is a key location for the logistics and distribution sector within the region.

"The Central Square project will produce a thriving centre with bustling shops, high quality services and an attractive environment to serve the local people and visitors.

"It will act as a catalyst for private-sector investment, leading to sustainable economic growth and job creation.

"The project will dramatically improve the image of Sherburn, inspiring civic pride and providing a focal point for community life."

The scheme will include narrowing Low Street and lining it with trees, making it more pleasant for pedestrians. Work is expected to be completed within nine months.

Coun Mark Crane, district council leader and renaissance champion, welcomed the scheme.

"I think it's got the possibility of transforming the centre of Sherburn and making it a really lovely place to live and work," he said.

"The ideas that have come from local people and the town team are really good, especially the idea of having a central footpath with different coloured stones along it, so it glistens like the beck the village was named after in the first place."

He said the name Sherburn had originally meant "silver beck".

Selby town is also set for renaissance improvements. A spokesman said the Living Streets project, also due to begin this summer, would aim to "maximise the distinctive historic character and cultural richness of the Abbey Precinct and Market Place by creating a sense of place that is high quality, vibrant and distinctive".

He said improved public spaces around Gowthorpe would provide a focus for community life and a venue for events during the day and into the evening.