A CAMPAIGN to clean up an area dubbed 'the forgotten end of Northallerton' has met with overwhelming public support, organisers say.

Residents and traders at the North End of the town have formed a pressure group to demand action is taken in the area, which they say is blighted by derelict buildings, undeveloped wasteland, litter and blocked drains.

Hundreds of people have put their names to petitions handed out by the North End Action Group and its founders.

Paul Johnson, who runs The Standard pub with his wife Sheila, said the area was an eyesore which created a bad impression of Northallerton for any visitors arriving from the north.

He condemned the boarded-up homes next to his pub and the site once earmarked for a new Safeway.

"They're absolutely disgusting. People tell me when they come in that unless I put the outside lights on during the day they would think we were derelict," he said.

"People say they won't even park their cars here because they see derelict houses and immediately think of vandalism and other troubles."

The street suffered infestations of flies in the summer and had pigeons nesting in some of the buildings.

Mr Johnson urged council chiefs to take notice of the support for the campaign and said organisers would take their case to MP William Hague if nothing was done.

"We pay our business rates like anyone else and we are not going to accept promises - we want action," he said.

Ian Watkins, who lives near The Standard, said a meeting with council officials was needed to discuss the recent flooding, blocked drains, unswept streets and the lack of litter bins.

"This end of the town has been the forgotten end for far too long," he said.

Steve Quartermain, director of planning and environmental services at Hambleton District Council, said the authority had received a letter from the action group and was keen to open discussions