A CHARITABLE trust set up to raise money to buy a town's open spaces is half way to meeting its first target.

Richmondshire Landscape Trust has to raise £120,000 in the next three years to buy Westfield, Sleegill, South Bank, Jack King's Wood and other open land from the district council.

The first instalment of £40,000 is due at the end of next month.

So far, £13,501 has been raised and a number of residents have offered interest-free loans, which takes the total to more than £20,000.

A recent public meeting held by the trust to discuss a fundraising strategy attracted 77 people.

Richmondshire Open Spaces Appeal (Rosa) treasurer Gordon Love said: "It is amazing just how supportive the people of Richmond are being. We now have 226 members and counting."

Ideas that came out of the meeting included holding a car boot sale in Richmond Market Place and a ball in the grounds of Richmond Castle.

The sale of the land will be discussed by the council's community committee on Tuesday.