Boris Johnson has awarded Kingston £636K to enhance the boroughs high streets.

The cash boost comes from the Outer London Fund, which aims to enhance outer parts of the city that may not directly benefit from improvements associated with capital projects such as the 2012 Olympic Games.

Launched in June this year the Mayor of London’s fund totals £50million and will be available over a three year time span.

In the first year of the scheme £10million has targeted high streets in outer London and the Kingston’s first round bid included four proposals to bring benefits to a high street in each neighbourhood.

Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Place and regeneration, said: “This award provides us with a great opportunity to make a significant difference to the centre of Kingston and attract new investment into the Borough.”

Kingston Council has also submitted an expression of interest in bidding for further financial support under the second round of the scheme, which are to be submitted by September.