Plans have been drawn up to attract investment into a Spen Valley market town which is suffering from a lack of trade.

Recent decades has seen investment in Heckmondwike dwindle, with around 24 shops now empty and To Let signs making a regular appearance in the centre.

But Spen Valley area trade co-ordinator Keith Joplin believes brighter times could be ahead if the town is improved and new investment brought in.

He has commissioned students from the University of Huddersfield's architectural department to translate ideas and thoughts into innovative images.

The aim of the vision is to create links between the large superstores on the edge of town and the market area. It is hoped to create small squares and green areas with outdoor seating for pubs and coffee shops.

There is a proposal to make all the shop facades in the same design, to introduce hanging baskets and create more cobbled areas.

A covered arcade and walkway could be created to link Morrisons supermarket to the main market area and the area outside the east of the covered market could feature a coffee shop and terrace.

The plans have been shown to the public and a Kirklees Council committee and copies of the vision have been sent to various council officers including highways, lighting and cultural services.

"We are now looking at the viability of the costs of doing this work," said Mr Joplin. "Officers are looking at the viability of the vision as part of their on-going plans for Heckmondwike. We can then look at the costs involved and funding available."

Mr Joplin said the vision had the backing of local ward councillors and Heckmondwike Chamber of Trade.

He added: "We have pulled all these ideas together to serve as a vision for the future and a goal to strive for. I want to be able to show potential investors in the town the kind of vision we have.

"It will involve a real push to get the empty shops let or sold, but it's something that all the organisations in the area can focus on to give us direction for the future."

He said the emphasis was on recreating the charm of a market town.

"We want to work with the high street names like Morrisons, Woolworths and Superdrug to encourage them to invest in the fabric of the town and get the momentum going," said Mr Joplin. "Together with Cleckheaton, Liversedge and the other outlying areas, this can be marketed as the Spen Valley."