A MASS litter-pick and weeding session will take place in Richmond next month after local people pledged themselves to act to improve their town.

The residents signed up to offer their labour at a public meeting last week which was organised by the town's mayor as part of his campaign to generate a new sense of civic pride.

And there will be another meeting tomorrow to discuss a report on ways to reinvigorate business in Richmond.

When Mayor Stuart Parsons was installed in May, he indicated that generating a new sense of civic pride would be one of his main objectives.

There have been a number of complaints that work is needed to revitalise both the local economy and the fabric of the place.

Coun Parsons called the meeting to give the public a chance to have their say, and around 70 people turned up to discuss the way forward.

The majority of people there pledged themselves to a town clean-up on Sunday, November 3.

Volunteers will be divided into work parties and will spend the day weeding the market town's paths and alleyways and clearing litter.

Other suggestions made included holding a six-monthly gathering, which residents could use as a regular forum to get their voices heard. Coun Parsons said: "At the end of the evening, we asked if people wanted another meeting but they said no, they would rather take physical action to improve the town rather than simply talk about it."

Meanwhile, at tomorrow's meeting in the Town Hall at 7.30pm, residents will have an opportunity to comment on a report commissioned by the Richmond Town Centre Forum Company, which members hope will point the way to a more prosperous future for the business community.

Consultants England and Lyle of Darlington were asked to suggest ways to fill some of the empty shops, rejuvenate the economy and to attract more tourists to the town.

As much as £100,000 is available from Yorkshire Forward over the next three to four years, with additional cash promised by Richmondshire District Council, Richmond Town Council and the Richmond Tourism and Business Association.

Town Centre Forum Company chairman Peter Warne said: "Providing the public support what the forum is proposing, we will be in a position to get on and start to make a real impact on the town."