RYEDALE MP John Greenway is backing a pioneering scheme to make the twin towns of Malton and Norton a Business Investment District (Bid).

More than 500 business leaders are being urged to back the project, under which they will pay a 1.5 per cent rate to generate extra income to boost the towns' economy.

Run by Yorkshire Forward, the scheme is the first of its kind in the North of England.

Mr Greenway said "There is a huge task ahead to secure the commercial viability of the towns for future generations and I believe this Bid application will be a significant step forward."

Next month, traders will vote whether to support the Bid application in a poll run by Ryedale District Council.