THE future of a North Yorkshire resort will come under scrutiny at a meeting today to start a regeneration strategy and bring prosperity to the town for the next 30 years.

Representatives from major companies, organisations and professional bodies in Scarborough will gather at the town hall for the meeting, called after Yorkshire Forward, the Government's development agency, selected Scarborough to become an urban renaissance town.

Scarborough was chosen as one of a number of towns with good potential to take advantage of the initiative, which intends to create an action plan, taking a fresh look at its future role as a resort, employment base, historic town and residential area.

Yorkshire Forward has appointed consultants to work with Scarborough Borough Council and the community to get a consensus on how Scarborough should develop during the next 30 years.

John Thompson and Partners consultants, involved in future planning for Whitby Marina, will draw up the action plan. This will not only set out how the town should develop, but also set a framework for future investment in Scarborough by Yorkshire Forward and other bodies.

Today, the representatives invited to the meeting will discuss the major issues facing the town.

The borough council's chief executive, Mr John Trebble, said they would be focusing on the challenges Scarborough faces.

"John Thompson and Partners have been engaged to carry out a review of existing issues and problems facing the town and its physical fabric, economy and tourism industry," he said.

"This is to be done through today's Community Forum, when representatives of significant businesses, groups, associations and other key bodies come together to help work through the diverse opinions on the future direction of Scarborough and identify a way forward.

"It will be the forerunner to a community planning event in Scarborough involving as many people with an interest in the future of the town as possible.