After years of lobbying and months of planning by community groups, a town looks set to get a "transformative" amount of money for shop front improvements. 

The shop fronts in Highams Park should get a facelift this year after Waltham Forest council announced it plans to invest £100,000 in supporting local businesses in Winchester Road, The Avenue and Hale End Road.  

A final decision on the use of funds out of the council's New Homes Bonus will be made at a cabinet meeting in March, cabinet member for high streets councillor Clare Coghill said. 

Highams Park was the only area not to see any funding from the council's £9m better high street project, which resulted in over 250 shop fronts being renovated across nine shopping areas. 

It is understood the decision to invest now followed a bid by the Highams Park Planning Group's (HPPG) to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for £20,000 to improve signage and lighting. 

Hanna Chalmers, 38, of Church Avenue, Highams Park, is the lead co-ordinator of the plan's street scene and crime group. 

The working mother-of-two worked alongside the HPPG's chairman Gordon Turpin in submitting the GLA bid. 

She said: "Highams Park is the diamond in the rough - it has so much potential. There is this unique community spirit unlike anything I have experienced elsewhere.  

"This money is a sign that Waltham Forest council has recognised all of our hard work; that they have seen the community doing it on their own and this has really impressed them. 

"Just take Wood Street as an example, it has been transformed and we hope it will have the same affect here."

Conservative councillors Sheree Rackham and Paul Braham praised the HPPG, the Highams Park Society and Highams Park Forum for their "tireless efforts and sterling work in making this a dream come true".

Labour ward councillor Tony Bell said it will help put Highams Park back on the map. 

The decision on the £20,000 GLA bid is expected in early February.