Work to regenerate an area in Thetford town centre is set to begin this summer, following feedback from residents.

People were able to have their say on plans to transform an area outside Boots in King Street into a public performance area with a stage and terrace where drama groups and brass bands could hold stage performances and shoppers could relax.

More than 500 people attended a public consultation in February where they were able to speak to those involved in the scheme.

Some 109 feedback forms were received following this, of which 24pc said they strongly liked the proposals, while 44.2pc said they liked them. An equal number of 13.5pc both strongly disliked and neither liked or disliked the scheme, while 4.8pc disliked it.

In terms of individual features, 32pc strongly liked and 27.2pc liked the idea of the clock tower, 29.1pc strongly liked and 35pc liked the proposed water feature, and 34pc strongly liked and 37.9pc liked the idea of a historic town map. The inclusion of information panels was strongly liked by 32.4pc and liked by 31.4pc.

Thetford town manager Susan Glossop said: “We were very encouraged by the number of people who attended the public consultation and most grateful to those who completed the feedback forms to record their views on the enhancement plans.

“We have listened to all views and taken action to make some amendments to the plans as a result of the feedback. This is a very exciting opportunity for us to move Thetford forward by improving a key area of the town and the work forms part of a much wider strategy to develop and enhance our town centre.”

Project budgets will now be finalised, a tendering process started and suppliers agreed. Work is due to begin in the summer and expected to take 15 weeks to complete.

A competition to give the project an official name will also be launched by the Moving Thetford Forward partnership later this year,