TRADERS in a North Yorkshire city have joined forces to give one of its key shopping streets a makeover.

The group repainted lampposts and bollards, removed litter and carried out a weeding exercise on Kirkgate, in Ripon, over the weekend after saying they wanted to “take charge” of the street, which they claim is becoming “derelict” because of empty shops and is “being used as a car park”.

The traders behind the scheme, called Kirkgate Forward, have said traffic should be prevented from using the street, but it should also have more seats, plants and trees and existing street furniture and signs should be rearranged.

They have also said allowing restaurants and cafés to operate outdoor eating and drinking areas and allowing space for street entertainment would help regenerate Kirkgate.