A NEW scheme to revive high streets has been launched in Altrincham.

Spearheaded by businessman Sir John Timpson, the National High Street Perfect Day means that for one day a year every high street shop will look and feel the best it possibly can to try and attract customers.

The pilot was launched in Altrincham on Friday and is inspired by a similar approach used by Sir John in the well-known retail and services stores which bear his name.

He said: "Altrincham is where I served my first customer, and that's one of the reasons I proposed it as the pilot town for the ‘National High Street Perfect Day’.

"It’s a town where the partnerships are working really hard in a challenging national high street environment to buck the trend."

The Business Improvement District coordinated a programme of jet washing and working with contractors to focus on the appearance of the town centre. They also produced the town's first High Street Festival.

Six local schools were involved in education programmes and Our Altrincham staged voluntary litter picks.

It is hoped lessons learned from the scheme will then be shared with other town centres across the country.

Elizabeth Faulkner, BID manager for Altrincham Unlimited, said: “We know Altrincham is not perfect and, like any other town, has its challenges. We’re thrilled to have been invited by Sir John Timpson to be the pilot town as it gives us all something to work towards."