A lane of shops is set to get an attractive new archway to the tune of £25,000 in time for spring.

Sandpit Lane in Braintree, which includes La Maison, Feathers hair salon and Townrow, has been picked for a spruce up by retailers as part of Braintree Council’s Backing Our Towns scheme.

The metal archway will be installed at the High Street end of the road and will simply read Sandpit Lane.

All retailers in the row have voiced their support for the sign, which it is hoped will attract more footfall to that area of town.

Councillors have set aside £35,000 from their capital reserves and estimate they will have £10,000 left over for similar projects in Braintree, Witham and Halstead.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for more.