THE task of helping to set up civic societies in towns across Yorkshire has gone to a 23-year-old from the US.

Katie Bishop, a post-graduate student at York University, has become the first development officer for the Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies.

The two-year post is the first of its kind in the country and is being funded by English Heritage.

Ms Bishop, originally from Tampa, Florida, is studying for a doctorate in politics and the key aim of her job is to widen the net of civic societies in the region.

She will target areas where there is no group and encourage local people to set one up.

"Civic societies are a way for people to make their voices count and shape the way neighbourhoods develop," said Ms Bishop. "Everyone has an opinion about the places where they live, work and shop, but how often are these views reflected in the decision making process?

"Grassroots movements like civic societies are a way of ensuring they do. As well as get new societies up and running, we also want to recruit more younger members."

English Heritage policy officer Elizabeth Bailey said: "Without the support of civic societies our job of protecting the historic environment is made so much more difficult.

"That's why we have funded this appointment and are so keen to see more groups established and the work of existing societies strengthened."