Mary Portas High St plan backed by government

Local Government minister, Grant Shapps, has praised the government's plan to rejuvenate 12 English High Streets.

"Town teams" in areas including Liskeard and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea will share £1.2m in government money and will try out ideas proposed by retail guru Mary Portas in her High Street review.

They will also be expected to share the lessons they learn with other towns.

Mr Shapps told the BBC that the government also intended to tackle high parking prices.