MOVES could be made to have Richmond's famous street cobbles placed on the Buildings at Risk register in a bid to have them restored.

The town council backed proposals to approach English Heritage, which compiles the annual log of listed buildings considered to be at risk if not properly maintained.

Coun Stuart Parsons, Richmond mayor, told the meeting on Monday that it would take six years before there was sufficient cash to bring the Market Place cobbles and paving up to standard.

It was hoped North Yorkshire County Council would begin some repair work in the Market Place in September but Newbiggin and Bargate were in an "absolutely appalling" state, said Coun Parsons.

"A flock of sheep could feed quite well on the grass and weeds in Newbiggin," he told the meeting.

The county council contractor sprayed weeds from a sit-on machine and was unable to get to many because of parked cars.

"If we wait for six years for the Market Place cobbles to be done, we would be ready to start again and Newbiggin and Bargate would never be done," said Coun Parsons. "There is massive investment required to restore those areas and perhaps we should be asking for the cobbles, which are a listed building, to be placed on the list of buildings at risk."

Nearly 90 people had attended a meeting of Richmond Pride, the campaign led by the mayor to encourage volunteers to keep the town tidy, last week.

Work was due to begin on the Castle Walk trees in the autumn after representatives from English Heritage and Richmondshire District Council met Richmond Pride members.

Shrubs would be cut back in September and a management plan for the trees drawn up. They would be reduced to improve the view but could not be uprooted and removed because many were believed to be stabilising the bank below the castle.

English Heritage would also look at installing a footpath from Castle Walk to the new district council riverside play area.

The county council was looking at rebuilding a section of wall on Castle Walk.

A good response was received to the town's floral decorations but Coun Sheila Clarke said some felt they could be improved.

"Thirteen people wanted to offer practical help towards a Richmond in Bloom project," she said. "I have made enquiries about setting up an 'in bloom' group in the town."

Two residents had paid towards new seats to replace vandalised ones near Trinity church tower and a third donation had restored a seat to a spot near the cemetery in Reeth Road after 15 years.

* Town Council report: page 11.