THE Mayor of Richmond has urged people who want to improve the town to attend a public meeting later this month to decide what action to take next.

Councillor Stuart Parson's Richmond Pride initiative has already achieved a number of successes.

Monthly litter picks have helped keep the town tidy and repair some of the damage done by vandals.

However, Coun Parsons is hoping this can be a springboard to bigger and better things.

He now wants anyone who has supported Richmond Pride so far to have their say at the town hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

"I promise this is not a meeting for a meeting's sake," he said.

"We need to get together to analyse our work so far and, more importantly, to decide how we want to move forward.

"I believe the litter campaign has been very successful and we have an ally in the district council because our work has been so positive - so can we build on this partnership?"

Coun Parsons also hopes to report on the drive to have Richmond's cobbled market place restored and to tidy up the steep slopes dividing Castle Walk and Riverside Road.

A meeting is planned with representatives from North Yorkshire County Council today to discuss the market place, although a spokeswoman for the authority confirmed it is likely to be autumn before any real progress is made on repairs.

"This was something we have actually agreed with the town's traders," she said.

"It wasn't thought helpful to have roadworks in the town centre at the height of the tourist season or in the run up to Christmas.

"A sum of £30,000 has been set aside to cover the cost but the work itself is likely to be carried out between October and November and February and March."

Meanwhile, English Heritage has confirmed it is hoping to appoint contractors to clear litter, cut back undergrowth and maintain the slopes beneath the castle walls.

Coun Parsons thanked all those who have helped with Richmond Pride to date.

"I am very proud of the work and feel very humble on the first Sunday of every month when so many people turn out to work for their town," he said