RETAILERS in Ferryhill have joined forces to form the town's first traders' forum.

The group, which seeks to promote the interests and views of traders, and give them a better chance of qualifying for grants, met for the first time last week.

The idea of a traders' group was first mooted in the Ferryhill Community Appraisal, almost two years ago.

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer of Ferryhill Town Council, said: "One of the weaknesses highlighted was the lack of co-ordination between the traders in Ferryhill to work together to improve the town.

"We have had difficulty finding the time to organise something, but the town council recently decided to hold two committee meetings on the same evening, which freed up another night to hold a traders' forum. Although we did not get the greatest attendance at the first meeting, we had an awful lot more people express an interest."

Ideas discussed at the first meeting included environmental improvements for the town and the running of additional events in the market place.

Mr Corrigan said: "Having a traders' forum is the key to looking for funding, because it strengthens our case immeasurably.

"The council is providing them with support, so that we can hopefully get together some bids to improve the town centre, so it can continue to be viable. But we need as many traders as possible to get involved, not just those in the town centre."

It is expected the forum will meet every two months.