A MAIN gateway into Stourbridge could be given a boost if a plan to secure £30,000 funding for an art project with Royal connections is successful.

Dudley Council officers are seeking approval from councillors to submit an application to the Enovert Community Trust for funding to go towards a £34,800 Stour Bridge project - to create artwork to increase the prominence of the River Stour at the point where it is crossed by the A491 towards the ring road.

The rest of the cash will come from Stourbridge Rotary Club and from a funding pot allocated for projects by the town’s two community forums.

As well as recognising the importance of the River Stour - the artwork gives a nod to a historic connection between the town and the Royal family as the route was once travelled by Prince Charles, the future Charles II, in 1651.

The project, supported by Transition Stourbridge, will also reference Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Stourbridge back in the 1950s.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley Council's cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "This is a project that was first mooted 14 years ago, but nothing came of it until it was brought back up again in 2017 as a way to improve the Lower High Street area in Stourbridge.

"Hopefully we can get the funding, it will look great and improve one of the key gateways into the town, attracting more footfall into Stourbridge and also along a beautiful canal route."

The Enovert Community Trust is an environmental body which supports community and environmental projects.