Downpatrick's town centre makeover - worth over £3m - has been unveiled.

NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland (pictured) and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster have visited Downpatrick to reveal the £3.2 million town centre public realm scheme.

The major regeneration project has created a high quality, modern urban landscape which maximises the historic assets of the town.

The Ministers walked through the streets to see at first hand the transformation that has taken place in the town centre after the construction workers left.

Improvement works included creating a new user friendly pedestrian environment, inclusion of contemporary new street furniture throughout the town centre, opening up St Patrick's square to create an outstanding location to host events and improved street lighting to make the town centre more welcoming.

Down District Council Chairman, Dermot Curran said: "The idea behind the design of the scheme was to open up spaces and to create links between many attractions in the town.

"Anyone who has had the chance to walk through the Grove will, I believe, see that this aim has been achieved most successfully.

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Meanwhile Mr McCausland said: "The new public realm works including the unique public art features have greatly enhanced Downpatrick by creating an attractive town centre that visitors, local shoppers and workers find appealing.

"Downpatrick has many merits such as its strong Christian heritage and its built environment that attracts many tourists from across the world."

The Council and other partners in Downpatrick will continue to deliver revitalisation measures including improving the attractiveness of shop fronts, providing tourist leaflets, heritage guides, directional signage and artistic hoardings to temporarily cover some of the derelict buildings in the area.

Minister Foster said: "Downpatrick is a key hub along the St. Patrick's Trail driving route and is host to many unique Christian Heritage attractions linked to St. Patrick.

"This public realm scheme enhances the strong culture and heritage product that already exists here."

(LB/BMcC)