THE economy of a North Yorkshire market town is set to be boosted this year, as a result of an ambitious idea to promote its businesses and attractions.

Pioneered by Pickering In Business, a comprehensive guide and map of the town has been published.

Some 140 enterprises in the town - more than 90 per cent - have contributed, said Graham Berney of Country Collector Antiques, who has designed and co-ordinated the production of the 100,000 copies of the guide.

He said it was to be distributed to tourist information centres, hotels, shops, and attractions over a wide area, with the aim of attracting more visitors to Pickering, as well as encouraging local residents to shop and use local businesses.

"The response has been marvellous both from the businesses and from the organisations who have funded it."

Eileen Blakeley, secretary of Pickering In Business, who runs Delta Discounts in the town, said Pickering Town Council and the North Yorkshire Small Projects Fund each gave £1,000.

With further contributions from Yorkshire Tourist Board and the traders themselves, the initiative has been fully financed.

For the Mayor, Coun Natalie Warriner, who launched the guide, it was a special success - because she set up the group six years ago. "It has been very successful because it has brought businesses together, enabling people to share ideas with the aim of making Pickering an even more successful town. I am delighted with the map and guide because it will help our economy. It will prove to be an important asset in improving the vitality of the town."

The artwork for the guide has been produced by Derek Thrippleton Design of Norton, while support has also been given by English Heritage, Yorkshire Forward, the North York Moors National Park, Ryedale District Council, Moorsbus and the North York Moors Railway.

Updated: 08:22 Tuesday, March 25, 2003