Work to improve Pontypool town centre is due to take place as part of a new Love Torfaen - Towns Together initiative.
From next week, council teams will undertake extensive cleaning, maintenance and environmental improvements along Crane Street and The Link, Commercial Street and George Street, following nominations from residents.
The work will culminate in a community action day on Saturday August 15, when businesses, volunteers and local residents will join council officers to carry out a rapid makeover along Crane Street, the Link (area adjacent to Tesco’s) Commercial Street and George Street which have been voted as the areas of the town centre most in need of attention.
Young people will also get involved by working with artists to create and paint a mural on the hoardings placed around St James's Church which is being renovated.
The Towns Together programme is part of the council's new Torfaen Deal approach to working alongside communities. It will see council teams working with businesses, volunteer groups and partners, including Gwent Police, to tackle hot spot areas on a regular basis.
There are also plans for bus stop improvements throughout the borough and a series of murals around the borough to encourage visitors and deter anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Joanne Gauden, Torfaen's Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration said: "Our town centres have the potential to be at the heart of our communities again, but they need a consistent and coordinated approach.
"We have listened to businesses and residents who say they are frustrated by the visual appearance of Pontypool and Blaenavon town centres in particular, and the empty shops.
"While the council has a significant role to play in addressing those points, we cannot solve all the problems. We need communities, individuals and landlords to show that they love where they live and take positive action to look after it.
"Together we can transform our town centres into areas where people want to visit and businesses want to invest."
Dyl Delaney, Chairman of the Pontypool Community Taskforce, said: “The taskforce is made up of representatives from five voluntary groups and embodies the ethos of collaborative working.
“That’s why we are so pleased to have been involved with the council from the very beginning in planning the town’s makeover day.
“Events like this represent the Torfaen Deal at its very best, bringing together residents, volunteers and local organisations to make a real difference in our community. Long may it continue.”
To join the Pontypool community action day just visit Pontypool Indoor Market on the 15th of August at 9am.
The next Towns Together make over will take place in Blaenavon in September and we're seeking suggestions on which street to target.
You can meet the Towns Together team at the Blaenavon Town Council's late summer event on Saturday, September 5.