TRADERS are looking to create a community forum to help promote Shildon's image as it prepares for the opening of its National Railway Museum.

Businesses believe the £10m museum, which has been named Locomotion, could be the key to putting Shildon on the tourist map.

A host of railway themed events have already been planned by Shildon Chamber of Trade to coincide with the opening of the museum in September.

The chamber is hoping to join forces with the town's Pub Watch, the town council and community groups to form the forum.

Butcher Brian Stoker, who is chairman of the chamber of trade, said: "We need to take this opportunity to breathe new life into the town.

"It is fair to say that shops in the town have suffered as the result of out-of-town shopping, but things are looking positive.

"We have had some interest in the empty shops in the town centre, and we need to act now. We are all going to get something out of this, so we cannot just sit back and just let it happen. It would be a missed opportunity.''

Mr Stoker, who is also a town councillor, said traders were keen on the idea of a community forum, but it was something that was still very much in its early stages.

He said: "We have spoken to Pub Watch and their members seem keen. We will just have to wait and see.''

Adrian Rowland, secretary of Pub Watch and landlord of The Royal George, said he would back anything that would help the town.

He said: "As far as I am concerned anything like this is a good idea as long as it helps all the businesses in the town.

"We are all in the same trade and we need to help each other."

Locomotion will house 60 exhibits from the National Railway Museum collection, as well as one o the world's railway treasures, the Sans Pareil, built by Timothy Hackworth in 1829. It is expected to attract 60,000 visitors a year.