AN initiative to boost the profile of Yorkshire has been launched by three of the county's leading support groups.

The Yorkshire Awards Committee, the Yorkshire Ridings Society and the Yorkshire Society are joining together for the first time to launch a Yorkshire Day Information Office.

The groups are encouraging as many people as possible to take part, in the run-up to the county's day of celebration on August 1.

Yorkshire has a population of about five million - more than Scotland, and twice as many people as in Wales.

The groups' first task is to encourage the region's businesses to support the initiative.

Events already planned for this year's Yorkshire Day include the Yorkshire Ridings Society Declaration of Yorkshire Integrity at York, and the Yorkshire Awards, culminating in an awards event in October.

The Yorkshire Day information office will be open throughout the year and will serve as a central point for providing contacts and details about Yorkshire Day, as well as acting as a catalyst for businesses, organisations and individuals wanting to be involved.

The initiative intends to develop Yorkshire Day not as a nostalgic, retrospective event for the county, but to celebrate the region as a forward-thinking area.

"We have a vision to make Yorkshire Day an even greater success as a national and international event," said a spokesman for the initiative

"However, we do need the support of major organisations to make the dream a reality."

More details on how to support Yorkshire Day are available on (01924) 363222.