The mayor of Beccles is looking to raise £25,000 to rejuvenate The Avenue in Beccles through his mayor’s appeal.

Graham Catchpole, who was elected mayor for the second time in May, launched the appeal at his mayoral reception on Tuesday.

Mr Catchpole said it is a project he has wanted to pursue for several years, and now with the station building restored to its former glory and plans for a new skatepark on Beccles Common moving forward, it seemed the right time to smarten up the area between both facilities. The Avenue runs from the back of Beccles train station down to the common, and is about a quarter of a mile long.

Mr Catchpole said: “If we’ve got a nice new skate park and a lovely station then it is no good leaving the walkway in between tatty.

“When it was first opened there was a nice wide path, but now the grass has overgrown and it gets quite muddy.

“The money will be used to re-lay the walkway down the centre and tidy up the edges.”

Mr Catchpole said he would be seeking the help of local organisations as well as holding his own events to raise funds for the project.

“It is something which will benefit everyone in the town, regardless of age,” he said.

“Now the station has taken off we have got more trains and visitors, and people use it to walk their dogs and it’s a nice walk for mothers with pushchairs. You’ve also got the football and rugby pitches either side. It’s a key part of the town.”

Mr Catchpole kicked off the fundraising with a collection at his reception, which raised £260. Anyone who would like to support the project or hold an event to raise funds can contact Mr Catchpole at g.catch32@btinternet.com