MARYPORT has beaten Somerset's Weston-super-Mare to gain fourth place in the Great British High Street awards.

The town was judged in the coastal communities category which was won by Prestatyn in Wales, with Bognor Regis second and Amble in the North East in third place.

The Great British High Street awards are run by the Association of Town Centre Managers and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The awards recognise those towns working to revive, adapt and diversify high streets.

Toni Magean, Maryport town centre manager, said coming fourth against recognised seaside towns was a huge honour for Maryport.

Debbie Wright, Love Maryport chairwoman, said: "It again puts the spotlight on Maryport. Any publicity that will attract people to visit is helpful. We need to keep working to improve the town and results like this gives us confidence that we are heading in the right direction."

Love Maryport’s efforts have included supporting Roman Maryport celebrations, working with Cumbria Tourism to introduce a special Love Maryport Cumbria discount card; community clean-ups, publication of tourist information and heritage trail brochures, regular shop window competitions, upgrading town maps and signs and entry in Cumbria in Bloom.

It has taken the lead and received £10,000 for the Government’s coastal communities scheme.