SUPPORT is flooding in for a Suffolk town’s bid to become a Portas Pilot Town and reap up to �100,000 in funding.

The group vying to cement Halesworth’s position as a shopping and tourism hotspot are due to share their vision and hear the ideas of residents for the application during a public meeting at The Cut on Tuesday, from 6pm.

A number of town’s, including Lowestoft, Diss, Framlingham, Leiston, Aldeburgh and Saxmundham, have revealed plans to apply for the scheme set up by retail guru Mary Portas and the government to invest �1m in regeneration projects for up to 12 locations across England.

Among those backing Halesworth’s campaign is broadcaster Emma Freud who, in a letter of support, called the town “incredibly exciting, viable and vibrant”, adding: “It has all the ingredients to be a landmark centre representing all that is magnificent about the British countryside and the British spirit. But its lights are hiding under a bushel at the moment. I can’t think of a community that would work harder, be more creative or more passionate about this project. I can’t think of a town I’ve known which would benefit more from the Portas Pilot.”

Laura Churchill, who runs Bluebird Vintage, in Bridge Street, and is leading the bid, asked for letters of support, addressed to Halesworth Town Centre Group, to be sent to laura@bluebirdvintage.co.uk, or Bluebird Vintage, The Hawk, Bridge Street, Halesworth, IP19 8AD.

You can keep up to date with the bid by joining facebook.com/halesworthportaspilot, following @HwthPortasPilot on twitter, or visiting bluebirdvintage.co.uk.