TENTERDEN and district Chamber of Commerce is appealing to its members to donate a total of £2,000 towards the publication of a town brochure.

President Colin Davies said the committee felt the town needed to project its identity and is planning a brochure to promote its individuality.

The idea is to design an eight or 12-page full-colour brochure and distribute 45,000 copies to Tourist Information Centres in the SE of England Tourist Board region, as well as all main hotel and tourist venues.

It will list tourist attractions, shops, hotels, pubs and businesses, and a centre spread will feature photographs of town features, with descriptions intended to attract visitors to the town.

Design, production, printing and distribution will cost £4,500. More than half has been pledged by Ashford Borough Council, the Town Council and Waitrose.

Mr Davies says match-funding to find the shortfall will be a team effort: "Everyone stands to benefit from this project, so the participation of all our members is vital.''

n New environmental health and licensing laws are expected to cost the Chamber more than £5,000 in future, just to stage the popular Christmas late night opening event, which brings in shoppers from all over Kent.

Members are already being asked to make a contribution of £35 towards the cost of the town centre festive lights.