THE market town regeneration initiative launched this week for Northallerton and Bedale was unveiled with a certain amount of caution.

The officials charged with the responsibility for implementing the Yorkshire Forward-funded programme are only too aware that this is not the first initiative in this field. Previous programmes have resulted in plenty of work going into community investment prospectuses and bids for funding from various wings of Government. There's a real risk of initiative fatigue setting in.

Northallerton and Bedale should not complain however. They may be coming to this party rather late but they will surely benefit from the experience of others who arrived earlier. Many of them found that after the initial popping of champagne corks, it was hard work coming up with plans for their towns which had a prospect of making a significant difference. Thirsk has found this to be the case but progress is being made.

The key to the process, which Yorkshire Forward is offering with this initiative, is the difficult analysis of the key forces affecting the health of market towns.

When this newspaper launched its Market Town Revival campaign four years ago the finger was pointed at two problems - out of town shopping development and the crisis in the agricultural industry. Today the influences on the health or otherwise of our country towns are more complex and by no means universal. Different approaches are needed and tailored to the special circumstances of each town.

The message from this week's launch is cautious because there are no quick fixes. But the long-term prospects are certainly rosier provided a clear idea of what is needed is agreed upon. That is what Northallerton and Bedale need to do now.