Decades of grime and organic matter have been removed from the Bentinck Memorial as part of the Mansfield Townscape Heritage Project, which has received backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project, overseen by Mansfield District Council, was launched in September with a free gutter clean to properties around the Market Place. Now gutters in Leeming Street will be cleaned this week.

As well as improvements to the public realm and free gutter cleaning, the Townscape Heritage Project offers grants of up to 75% for eligible conservation works to 34 properties on Leeming Street, the Market Place and part of Stockwell Gate.

The initiative runs until February 2024 by which time it is anticipated that more than £1.4m will have been invested in Mansfield’s historic centre.

Martyn Saxton, Head of Regeneration and Planning at the council, said: “This project aligns with the council’s wider priority to promote Mansfield as a destination and will make a significant difference to fabric or our most historic buildings in the town centre.

“It is also giving training opportunities for people to learn conservation skills which is in line with the council priority to promote aspiration and encourage people here to learn new skills.

“We would encourage property owners within the Mansfield Market Place Conservation Area to get in touch to find out if are eligible for a grant.”

Owners can download and fill in an Expression of Interest form online at www.mansfield.gov.uk/townscapeheritage and then email it to Jonathan Lee, Townscape Heritage Officer, at [email protected] or call 01623 463369.