THE 'LoveLiskeard' team of volunteers is today sending in Liskeard's bid in the hope of becoming one of 12 nationwide Portas Pilot towns.

The team has the celebrity backing of TV presenter Richard Madeley, World Cup rugby winner Trevor Woodman, editor in chief of Elle UK Lorraine Candy and Olympian Cassie Patten.

If successful, the team, formed only a few weeks ago, would win a share in £1m put up by the Government to help rejuvenate town centres, after it commissioned a report on high streets by entrepreneur Mary Portas.

The contents of the Liskeard bid were put together after comments from residents and traders during the team's two-day 'LoveLiskeard' exhibition and consultation in one of the town's empty shops in Fore Street.

Bid leader Sally Hawken said: 'There is every reason for Liskeard to become a Portas Pilot. Cornwall Council has commended the town on what it described as a strong bid which represents value for money.'

Communications manager Allison Livingstone said: 'We genuinely believe that we have a great little town and that we can win, but whatever the outcome this is just step one in a longer journey backed by the benefits of the town working together. We have been struck by how passionate and energetic people have been, not just the volunteers, but also our MP Sheryll Murray, the traders and residents.

'We have to move past our problems and get on with planning a future in different times.'