A FORMER Woolworths store has had its dingy window decked out with a large poster of the Vale’s iconic white horse.

The window display in Wantage Market Place is part on an attempt to make the centre of the historic market town look less shabby.

The idea has been welcomed by business leaders who are trying to contact landlords to gain access to the other five empty shops in and around Market Place.

Wantage’s Chamber of Commerce has funded the project, which cost £740.

Chamber chairman Jim Hetherington said: “It looks much better.

“A lot of people have been commenting on it.”

Mr Hetherington said he already had plans for the empty Allen and Harris estate agents opposite the former Woolworths store.

Wantage Town Council has put aside £10,000 to smarten up the town ahead of its planned redevelopment, due to start within the next three years.