TEAMWORK is the key to bringing in more tourists and promoting two of Ryedale's market towns, a new marketing manager has revealed.

Peter Mudge stepped into the Malton and Norton Town Centre Management Company this week - and already projects are underway to increase visitor numbers and realise the full potential of the twin towns.

Mr Mudge, who was heavily involved in promoting Ripon and its festival for ten years, said it was vital to remember that everyone had a role to play.

"It's silly to say there is any one person who can solve everything, so I think it's important to gather people in as much as possible," he explained.

"There's a whole team of people working on this, it's not a one-man show, and it should never be seen like that."

The 42-year-old has also worked for Chiltern District Council, in Buckinghamshire, for several years, working in external relations.

He said consulting residents and visitors alike on what they saw as the future for Malton and Norton was an essential part of his new role.

"I think they are marvellous towns, people are really friendly and very supportive, and I want to encourage more people to become involved.

"Everyone wants to see the towns thriving and people may well want to see things happening in different ways.

"I just want people to come on board with ideas."

Mr Mudge, who has two sons, Zach, five, and three-year-old Ben, said thoughts were already turning on how to promote the Christmas celebrations in Malton and Norton.

"We are aiming to make it bigger and better than ever, and we would welcome people coming in with their own thoughts."

And a newly-developed one-off magazine promoting the towns would soon be ready to distribute to a host of different bodies, he said.

"We have the journal which is coming out along with additional information, which is going out to all the coach companies.

"It will give them an idea of the welcome they will receive.

"We plan to have refreshments available for drivers to make them welcome, and information packs to give people getting off the coaches, saying what to do and see."

He added: "We will be working closely with town councillors, members of the chamber of trade, individual traders and so on to build on our assets.

"The idea is to attract more people into the towns and give them a better experience when they come here."

Mr Mudge said people welcome to drop by to speak to him in his office on Castlegate, Malton.

Updated: 08:35 Thursday, September 26, 2002