PICKERING and neighbouring villages are out to win cash help from the European Union.

The town council has given the thumbs-up for an investment prospectus to be produced for the area and for a steering group to be formed to plan the document.

Coun Bill McCall, the town mayor, said one meeting had already been held and another is planned at Ebberston village hall for Wednesday when several parishes will come together with the town council.

He said officers from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, county and district councillors and officials had attended a meeting when it was decided that the idea of a needs assessment prospectus should be produced. "It will take the form of a business plan," said Coun McCall.

Under the EU's new Objective 2 regional funding scheme the Pickering area stands to benefit economically, he added. The prospectus aimed to provide evidence to support applications for funding.

It would also prove that communities in the area could work together for their economic well being.

Funding is to be specifically targeted at projects which will strengthen the local economy and create jobs, said town clerk Andrew Husband.

A high-powered collection of organisations will be involved in producing the prospectus, among them the National Farmers Union, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Environment Agency, local authorities, voluntary organisations, education and training organisations and authorities covering sport, the arts, North York Moors National Park, forestry, businesses and transport.