TEN businesses have secured funding for a external makeover.

Braintree District Council offered grants of up to £5,000 to businesses willing the match the funds.

Simon Edney who owns Westmead Automotive in Gosfield and used the money to install new signs and refresh the paintwork on his premises, said it would not have been possible without the funding.

He said: "We haven’t done too much to the place over the past 20 years, so this boost has given us the opportunity to brighten the place up.

"We’re really proud of the improvements that we’ve made, and we hope our customers like the new look too.

"Without the support, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the changes that we wanted.”

The successful applicants were based in Braintree, Earls Colne, Gosfield, Halstead, Witham and Little Maplestead.

Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, councillor Tom Cunningham, said: "We launched this initiative to improve the quality of the environment on our industrial estates and support the growth of local businesses.

"Our support has given these businesses the incentive to repair and paint walls, install new lighting and signage and make improvements to green spaces."

The £50,000 invested in supporting local businesses is expected to give the district’s economy a £250,000 boost.

Sean Milbank who owns Milbank Concrete Products in Earls Colne was another one of the successful business owners.

He said: “Our factory is in a prominent position and the condition of our building was not giving the right impression and it was affecting the professional appearance of our site.

"This funding, along with our investment, will help bring the look and feel of our unit up to the same standard as other business units in the area.”