TEAMS of contractors have begun work tidying up a landmark in a market town.

Richmond's Norman castle, above the River Swale, has appeared in paintings and is a favourite with tourists.

However, brambles and shrubbery beneath the southern walls have grown to such a height that they obscure the views from Castle Walk, making the cliffside promenade less popular with visitors.

With fewer people around, vandals have moved in, ripping up the benches and throwing them down the slopes.

The area has also become untidy, with litter scattered on the ground.

The award-winning Richmond Pride initiative, which was pioneered by the town's Mayor, Councillor Stuart Parsons, has attempted to clean-up Castle Walk more than once.

But the drop from the castle to the river below is so steep, it was decided expert teams would be needed to carry out the work.

English Heritage promised to train contractors, and the first crews have arrived to begin work at the bottom of the slope.

"I am delighted to see work under way at last," said Coun Parsons yesterday.

"It is a huge job, which has required specialist training but, at last, we have seen a start made and we must now keep our fingers crossed that the English Heritage teams are able to carry on working their way up the hill through the autumn.

"The district council is also considering a tree management project along Castle Walk, which should help restore the view we have been missing, which should discourage the people who have been misusing the area.''

Coun Parsons said that, once the work was completed, Richmond Pride volunteers would work with the district authority on regular litter patrols to keep Castle Walk clean.

"I hope we can carry on working with all the agencies in a spirit of co-operation," he said.

"It has taken us three years to get this far, but the fact work has started proves that, if you persevere, things can happen in the end."