AN ambitious scheme including a Victorian-style archway and columns for colourful banners may bring a touch of the continent to Chesham High Street.

Chesham town councillors agreed to earmark £4,000 for banner columns as part of the scheme which is set to give the High Street a Parisian look.

Maggie Cannon, Chesham town manager, said it was hoped the new street furniture will combat criticisms that shoppers are put off by the High Street's "bleak" look.

She said: "The High Street just needs something with a bit of character. We are trying to create an optimistic feature for the town which makes it look alive."

The project was put forward by the Chesham Partnership, which works to revitalise the town, and Chesham town councillors pledged their support at a meeting of the Town Centre Revitalisation Committee on Monday.

If the scheme goes ahead, pending funding from Chiltern District Council and the private sector, the High Street would have six Victorian-style banner columns, eight lighting columns and an archway at the northern entrance.

Cllr Nancy Downs (Lib Dem, Townsend) told the meeting: "I am sure people in the town will contribute to this scheme."