THIS week the Cornish Guardian launches a major new campaign to keep our town centres thriving and at the heart of the community.

Go To Town aims to highlight the diverse range of shops and services on our doorstep, promoting them and their role in keeping our town centres alive.

Town centre businesses are vital to our local vibrancy, yet face huge challenges in a struggling economy.

They also face tough competition from out-of-town retailers.

We are encouraging local businesses to join together to support the campaign to encourage shoppers to 'keep it local'.

The campaign also aims to brighten up shopping areas, making them more attractive to shoppers, and encourage further investment.

During the coming months we are joining forces with local traders' groups, individuals and councils to develop a strategy to safeguard and protect the future of our high streets.

We will be highlighting and supporting a number of initiatives aimed at regenerating our town centres and are inviting readers to have their say on what is needed to make them top of our shopping lists.

Turn to pages 4 and 5 for more on the initiative.