A mayor has made a New Year's resolution to do all he can to make sure one of the North Yorkshire most famous beauty spots is cleared of litter.

The view of Richmond Castle towering over the River Swale is one of the most painted in England.

But trees and shrubs growing on the steep hill which slopes down to the water are festooned with rubbish - and Coun Stuart Parsons has confirmed a clean-up operation is planned for January, weather permitting.

"It's certainly been four of five years since the last time the Castle Walk area was tidied up," he said.

"The litter problem has certainly worsened, and it's got to the point where we really have to do something about it."

Coun Parsons promised to promote Pride in Richmond during his mayoral year and led a clean-up campaign around the town's Market Place during the summer.

He said: "The problem with Castle Walk is that there is no one to patrol it. The district council has the power to impose by-laws but it wouldn't be able to enforce them.

"It really is down to individuals to challenge the behaviour of people who just throw their rubbish into the bushes or leave it lying around. If they refuse to take any notice, then I'm afraid it's up to the rest of us to clear up after them."

Drink cans and fast-food packaging suggest youngsters are mostly responsible and, as a result, Coun Parsons has confirmed he will be trying to reach them within the next few weeks.

He said: "I hope to visit most of the schools in the town over the next few weeks, and it's something I'll be drawing to the children's attention."

The town council has agreed to approach the Army at Catterick Garrison to see if soldiers at the Infantry Training Centre would be willing to help with the clear-up as part of their community programme.