EFFORTS to regenerate the town centre shopping experience in North Tyneside are continuing with a competition to find the top of the shops in North Shields, Wallsend and Whitley Bay.

The award, which is up for grabs in each of the three town centres, is aimed at independent shops which can nominate themselves.

But they must be backed by at least five regular customers, who will be asked to describe the levels of customer service they have received.

Top of the Shops has been put together by the North Tyneside Retail Centres Task Group, which was set up in 2009. It brings together the three towns’ Chambers of Trade, officers and members from North Tyneside Council, plus members of the police and Metro operator Nexus.

Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.northtyneside.gov.uk/topoftheshops