ANOTHER piece in the Ripon regeneration jigsaw will be slotted into place later today.

One of the city's leading employers has confirmed it is to donate £10,000 towards the enhancement of the River Skell, which flows through the heart of the ancient community.

Wolseley Centers - owners of the UK-wide Plumb Center and Builder Center chains - employs more than 300 people at its Boroughbridge Road headquarters.

The company says it hopes the money will mean both residents and visitors can make more of a popular footpath trail, which begins in the city centre, passes the cathedral and winds its way out into the countryside.

The company's chief executive, Andrew Hutton, will be presenting the money to the mayor and mayoress of Ripon, Councillors David and Penny Harrison, later today.

Mr Hutton said: "The improvement scheme is an imaginative and innovative one, which will bring real benefits to the local environment for people who work in the area, for Ripon residents and for Ripon visitors."

Work on the project, which will cost more than £300,000 in total, is expected to start next month and will include improving footpaths, landscaping and illuminating walkway bridges.

The remainder of the bill will be covered by Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, which are coordinating the scheme, another private donation and a substantial grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Other regeneration projects under way in the city, include the restoration of the market square, as well as a new bus station and library.

That is part-funded by Government grants and through other partnerships with developers and the private sector.

A planning application is also expected soon for development of the former Ripon University Campus, which has been closed since students were moved to York.

The Ripon Partnership has acted as a catalyst for change and, yesterday, chairman, Bernard Bateman, welcomed Wolseley Center's gift.

"We are delighted Ripon's major employer is willing to support plans to enhance the city. The company should receive all the credit due as, without the help of the business community, it would be difficult to move the city forward,'' he said.