An organisation working to promote Lowestoft has been given the green light to continue delivering its services for another five years.

Lowestoft Vision - managed by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce - was founded in 2013 after a number of businesses voted in favour of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for the town.

Its aims are to make Lowestoft more secure, appealing, attractive and accessible.

And following a vote to renew Lowestoft Vision's contract for another five years, with all levy-paying businesses within the BID area given a ballot paper to cast their vote, 77pc out of the 56pc turnout gave their backing to the scheme.

Speaking after the announcement of the ballot results today, Danny Steel, chairman of Lowestoft Vision: 'This is a great result for Lowestoft and in particular for the town's retailers.

'With 77pc of voting businesses backing a 'yes' outcome and nearly 90pc by rateable value, this is a massive vote of confidence in this town's future.

'The Lowestoft Vision team can now press on and by working with our levy-payers we can deliver our ambitions and initiatives to further improve the town centre experience for the benefit of everyone.

'In addition to the levy-payers, I would like to thank the board, the town committee and staff of Lowestoft Vision for their tremendous energy and hard work not only in the run-up to this successful ballot, but over the last five years as well.'

In the consultation pack sent out by Lowestoft Vision ahead of the vote, projects earmarked for the future included offering training and mentoring opportunities for BID businesses, developing more events that celebrate Lowestoft's heritage and culture and to provide information packs for new businesses in the town.

Schemes currently run by Lowestoft Vision include the security radio scheme, allowing businesses to keep in contact with each other to monitor potential risks in the town over secured channels, and part-funding a dedicated full-time Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to work within the BID area.

Lowestoft Vision also organises special events such as the 1940s weekend and the Christmas lights switch-on.

Speaking at the launch of the renewal bid back in March, John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, said there had been a 2.9pc increase in footfall achieved in the BID since 2013.

For more information about the BID, visit www.lowestoftvision.co.uk