A COMPANY that builds environmentally-friendly holiday lodges has stepped in to sponsor a town's guidebook.

Richmond's Shopping and Eating Guide 2004 is being supported by Ecobuild, which is due to open ten self-catering lodges on its 50-acre Aislebeck site, about a mile out of the town, at Easter.

Town manager Colin Grant said: "The guide has proved a very effective way of promoting Richmond's retail and tourist industry and, as yet, we have not had to go to individual traders for any money.

"However, we do have to meet the costs from somewhere and Ecobuild's generous sponsorship has certainly facilitated this year's publication."

The lodges will use the latest in green technology, including a reed bed wastewater disposal system and a revolutionary heat exchange process. The site is being developed in conjunction with conservation groups as a wildlife haven.

Simon Spence, a director of Ecobuild, said: "Ecobuild's philosophy is to promote and enhance local resources, which is why we are providing no retail facilities on site in order to encourage holidaymakers to use the town.

"We are also looking at ways of working with local traders to supply goods for our lodges and to promote their services to our guests."

The guide, launched this week, has information on markets, car parking, disabled facilities and visiting the town with children. There is also a town centre map.

It is published by Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative and supported by a number of organisations.