More than £50,000 has been given to Bristol to help regenerate shopping streets which have become victim of the recession.

The city council will be given the responsibility for giving out the £52,632 to liven up high streets or town centres.

It could be used, for example, to open up boarded-up shops to use as meeting centres or used as a work space by local artists.

Communities Secretary John Denham gave the green light to the funding which supports "Real Help Now" for communities.

It could also be used to support a street market or festival to encourage local shopping.

Bristol South Labour MP Dawn Primarolo said: "It's putting money into places that need it most and is a helping hand for our high streets."

Doug Naysmith (Lab, Bristol North West) said: "Boarded-up shops undermine business confidence, but opening them up for other uses makes sense and successful businesses can spring from such opportunities."

Kerry McCarthy (Lab, Bristol East) said: "I asked my constituents what they would like to see on their high streets and got many varied and innovative answers, such as more community-run cafes like the Little Co-op on Church Road; advice centres on diet and nutrition; facilities run by young people for young people; adult education centres in Fishponds; and advice centres which could be regularly attended by local beat police.

"This funding could make a real difference to Bristol's smaller high streets and see them become community meeting points once again.''

Mr Denham said: "We know that the downturn has really hurt high streets. There is no need to see unused shops on our high streets going to waste, especially when we know that it doesn't take a lot to turn a vacant shop into something beneficial for the community.

"These grants will help to transform and re-open empty shops as part of our real help to keep town centres vibrant and combat the recession."