West Dunbartonshire Council has said the main phase of its refurbishment of Alexandria town centre, around Mitchell Way, is currently being carried out.

Workers are on site and are removing the dated canopies and installing new lighting, shutters and signage.

It is hoped the work will be completed by spring 2014 and cause as little disruption as possible to local businesses and shoppers.

The local authority agreed a budget of £770,000 to inject new life into the shopping area, and the first phase - which focused on essential repairs, mostly on Main Street - was carried out earlier this year.

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This second phase will be split in two to ensure minimum disruption over the busy retail period at Christmas.

Councillor David McBride, Convener of the Council's Housing, Environmental and Economic Development Committee, said: "We need a shopping centre in Alexandria which is fit for purpose in the coming decades, which pulls in shoppers and is a place which retailers want to be. Very soon, I am sure local people will see a difference, as things start to take shape."

Councillor Lawrence O'Neill, Vice Convener of the Council's Housing, Environmental and Economic Development Committee, added: "It's great to see the main phase finally underway. This is the start of a new era for Alexandria Shopping Centre and I hope in time it brings new business, new shoppers and new life to the area.

"It is another good example of how this Council is investing in regenerating the local area to improve the quality of life for local people."

(JP/CD)