Newlyn residents are being invited to have their say on ideas to improve, restore and enhance the port as part of a regeneration programme. A design guide setting standards that can be used to reinforce and maintain the historic character of the port during its regeneration is being drawn up by the Visual Environment Group of the Newlyn Fishing Industry Forum and a public meeting where local people can express their opinions is taking place in early March.

Group member Nick Howell, from the Pilchard Works, said this week: "If unsympathetic alterations to parts of Newlyn continue, it will ultimately destroy the whole character of the port. It is time to agree a manual that can be used to maintain and build upon the traditional visual aspects as well as one capable of being incorporated within the essential modernisation plans of the fishing industry."

Other members of the group are town councillor Ruth Simpson, Grevis Williams from Golowan, and Ron Hogg, a Newlyn historian and retired civil servant.

The group is inviting everyone who lives in the conservation area of Newlyn to a public meeting at St Peter's Hall at 7.30pm on March 11.

The meeting will discuss how best to identify proposed works, how to draw up a design guide that sets the standards, and how to positively involve Newlyn residents in every aspect of improving the appearance of the area.

The five main areas of interest so far are overhead wires, handrails and street furniture, granite sets, steps and monuments, street lighting and green areas.

Ruth Simpson said: "This is the opportunity for people to identify, list and restore the incorrect or bent railings, missing cobbles, broken seats and vandalised monuments that have become an unfortunate part of Newlyn in recent years. We need an enthusiastic group to identify problems and help us to map them out first."

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