NEW signs promoting a market town's attractions could cost up to £20,000.

A group of local people working to raise the profile of Bedale is looking at funding sources for signs on the A1 nearby and at other entrances to the town.

The Bedale and Villages Community Plan Forum, which has developed from the Renaissance Market Towns initiative run by development agency Yorkshire Forward, works with the chamber of trade and tourism, parish councils and other groups on projects designed to boost business, environmental, community and transport prospects in the area.

The town's tourist information centre reopened under independent voluntary management earlier this year and popular car boot sales are held in Bedale Hall park from April to October.

Initiatives designed to boost trade and visitor numbers include summer celebrations in the park and a late-night shopping evening before Christmas.

However, the forum believes the area still needs more signs to encourage visitors, and has made this project a priority for the next year.

Talks are planned with the Highways Agency in an attempt to have brown tourist signs, similar to those promoting Richmond and Ripon, on both sides of the A1 at the Leeming Bar junction and on the sliproad approach to the A684 into Bedale.

The forum also believes there is space for gateway signs, built from stone and carrying the town's name with a welcoming message, at main entrances.

Suggested sites so far include Masham Road and South End.

The forum is receiving £10,000 a year for three years from Yorkshire Forward, and wants to put next year's instalment towards the signing project.

It hopes to get £5,000 from Hambleton District Council and a similar amount from Aiskew and Leeming Bar Parish Council and local businesses. Bedale Town Council has set aside £1,500 to help.

Forum chairman Mike Barningham said: "We hope we can get brown signs on the A1 as soon as possible while it is still a dual carriageway because, if and when it is upgraded to motorway standard, there are likely to be higher criteria to meet.

"The whole signage project is all about trying to attract more people into Bedale, to stay longer and to spend money with local businesses.