BURNHAM'S Town Team says it has learnt the lessons of its failed first bid for £100,000 of Portas Pilot funding - and is now ready to fight for cash from the second wave of handouts.

The Portas Pilot scheme, named after the Government's high street guru, Mary Portas, is offering towns throughout the UK a chance to win £100,000 to regenerate their high streets, and receive expert advice from the star of TV's Mary Queen of Shops.

Burnham's Town Team says it is refining its bid to focus on town centre marketing, events and training. Applications for round two of the scheme close in July.

Tom Ashton, a Burnham guesthouse owner and the treasurer of the Somerset Tourism Association, said a successful Portas Pilot bid could give every business in the town confidence.

He said: “If we get some money from the Portas bid, it would rejuvenate people and give them more enthusiasm. The shopkeepers who are struggling would think, 'actually, we are important'.”

Alex Turco, from the Town Team, is urging people to attend its next meeting, on Monday, at 6.30pm, at the Burnham and Highbridge Town Council offices in Jaycroft Road, Burnham.

The main focus of the meeting will be how £30,000 given to Sedgemoor District Council following the expansion of the town's Tesco store should be allocated to town centre improvements.