It is was project which saw more than £3m invested into the heart of a South Norfolk market town.

And now, the Diss Heritage Triangle Project has been short listed for one of the UK's most prestigious and well established planning awards.

The project is amongst 11 schemes up for an award in planning excellence from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPR).

The awards which have been running for more than 40 years, celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

They are viewed as some of the most respected awards in the UK planning industry, and this year received a record number of nominations.

The Heritage Triangle Project which refers to the renovation of the grade II listed Corn Hall, the re-design of Market Hill and Market Place, the creation of a wildlife garden overlooking the Mere and the floating Mere boardwalk has been short listed in the excellence in planning for Heritage and Culture category.

And was put forward for the award by the Heritage Triangle Trust CIO, with emphasis placed on the public support for the project.

Trevor Wenman, Diss Mayor described the news as 'absolutely marvellous'.

Whilst Councillor Julian Mason said; 'It's a big bonus for the town and well deserved after the tremendous amount of work that went into it and it's a real coup for the town and hopefully we will be successful.'

John Acres MRTPI, RTPI president said: 'This year's finalists reflect the important contribution planners and planning makes to creating great places and tackling the challenges we face across the UK.

'Planners are taking on new and innovative projects and the finalists show they are succeeding.

'It's a huge achievement just to be short listed this year given the 6pc rise in entries to the awards.

'The high calibre of entries will make judging very difficult.'

The project will now go up against 10 other schemes from across the country including ones in Tower hamlets, London, Darlington and Lancashire before the winners are announced during a ceremony in London on Thursday, May, 24.