LOCAL authorities on Merseyside are being encouraged to come up with imaginative ways of using empty shops.

Areas outside the city centre and other regional shopping locations have been particularly hard hit by the downturn. As a result, the Government is providing cash to help shopping areas fight back.

Merseyside councils will share more than £200,000 to help reduce the impact of empty shops in the high street.

Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton will each receive £52,632 of government cash to help tackle the problem.

The money is being given to councils based on those with the highest vacancy rates and the areas with the most acute levels of deprivation.

The Government said it was determined to help ensure town and city centres remain vibrant places for people to meet and shop.

Ministers say councils can use the money as they see fit. Ideas to boost town centres and revive shops include turning them into something useful such as a meeting place for local community groups.

The idea is to ensure areas are not blighted by empty properties.