PLANS are being drawn up to make Lowestoft High Street more inviting to shoppers.

New hanging baskets and benches are among the proposals put forward by the Lowestoft High Street Traders Association as it seeks to attract more people to the north end of the town.

The association is planning to transform the area around the Triangle Market on Saturday, June 2 by staging a Summer Bash Jubilee Music Festival.

And with traders working to raise the profile of the recently re-branded Old Town High Street area, the group's chairman Danny Steel said a series of other plans and events were in the pipeline.

'There will be two hanging baskets on every lamp-post in the High Street, which the Ashley School will be sorting out, and we will also be having planters made up by Aid and Assist,' he said.

Committee member, Steve Saunders, manager at Elephant Interiors furniture store, added: 'We are in the process of submitting plans for planters right up the High Street to Triangle Market.

'Hopefully we will also be able to install benches as we want to make the High Street look better.'

The moves come as Lowestoft Town Management Partnership seeks support for its proposal to create a new Business Improvement District (BID) in Lowestoft, which would allow it to raise funds to enhance and promote key shopping areas by improving their appearance and cleanliness in an attempt to draw in more custom.

The BID's backers are currently canvassing local businesses to secure their support.

Meanwhile, Lowestoft police have sent out letters to all local businesses reminding them that there must be no waiting and no unloading in the London Road North area between 10am and 4pm.

It follows concerns that too many vehicles were using pedestrianised areas.

Mr Saunders said. 'The High Street Traders Association is working closely with the local authorities to enforce this and to encourage more potential customers to this area without having to worry about their safety.'