A PLAN to unite every village, town and city in the world called Richmond through a community website has found backing from local businessmen.

The Richmonds of the World initiative would link 50 or more locations from 11 countries under one organisation to promote tourism, business and education.

The idea is being supported by Richmond businessmen David Gibson, a marketing consultant, and Phil Upton, who runs Purple Creative Services, who have already offered time and financial support to get the project off the ground.

They have already purchased the relevant web addresses, including richmondsoftheworld.com and richmondsoftheworld.co.uk The pair are looking for eight business sponsors to help set up a website, which will act as a hub to allow each Richmond to upload information, pictures and contact details.

Each sponsor would be asked to pledge £400 towards the £2,500 still required to build the website and would feature on the finished site.

The name of Richmond is found in Commonwealth countries around the world, including Australia, the Bahamas, Fiji, India and Canada and is also a common name for towns in the US.

Although Richmond in North Yorkshire is recognised as being the original holder of the name, it is also acknowledged that most of the international versions take their name from Richmond upon Thames, in Surrey.

Mr Gibson said he and Mr Upton hope the website will be used to foster closer ties between the different towns and provide a boost to the local community.

He said: “Everyone I’ve spoken to about this has shown an interest and we hope that a lot of different people will get involved.

“It could be a great chance for the local schools to form links around the worlds and we think it could be good for sports teams – especially cricket and rugby because most Richmonds are found in Commonwealth countries. I’ve been surprised at the number of people who have told me that they’ve gone out of their way by more than a day on holiday to visit somewhere purely because its called Richmond.

“Hopefully, building this website might make tourists stop and think about dropping in to see us.”

As well as sponsors, Mr Gibson and Mr Upton are asking for people who have visited other Richmonds in the world to send them photographs that they may have, as a starting point for the website.

They are also interested to speak to anyone who may be visiting a Richmond in future.

For details, or to offer sponsorship, call Mr Gibson on 01748-824246 or Mr Upton on 01748-821888.