A PERSONAL campaign to sign up as many of the town's businesses as possible is being launched by Bill Dovey, chairman of Upton Tourism and Trade Association (TTA).

He wants to see non-member firms join forces in helping to fund TTA activities, which include putting up flags and Christmas trees, following the failure last year of traditional fundraising methods.

Mr Dovey told last week's meeting of the TAA's executive committee: "There are people in town who are not members and if we can get half of them to sign up for £15, I feel that would be a boost for our funds."

He said that joining the association improved its ability to speak out on behalf of the town's traders.

"If we're going to speak for businesses, it's always better to be able to speak for more," he added.

Mr Dovey said that he would make personal representations to firms who are not members of the association to try and persuade them to join.

A shake-up of the TAA's rules at the AGM earlier this month means firms who want to join are no longer obliged to pay an additional fee to advertise in its directory.

They can join under new rules that allow them to pay £15, which gives them membership of the Chamber of Commerce as well as the TTA. The move is prompted by the failure of successive fundraising events due to lack of interest.