THE new mayor of Leominster has appealed to the DVD generation to give the small screen a rest and get involved to help save community life.

Councillor Brettina Meadows (right) fears townspeople are becoming isolated in front of the television while local organisations struggle with too few active members.

"So much time is spent watching DVDs, TV or playing computer games community life is under threat," she said.

"So many voluntary organisations are having the same problem, they cannot get younger people involved. The older generation cannot carry on forever and it means our traditions could die."

She added: "People love events such as switching on Christmas lights and the Victorian Street Market but these things don't happen overnight. They take months of planning. Without younger people coming in to learn the ropes there is no future."

Miss Meadows, a retired former telephonist and lifelong true blue' Conservative with a record of voluntary service, says there are plenty of opportunities for townspeople.

Organisations such as Leominster in Bloom, the Civic Society and Grow Leominster (which is trying to boost the town's economic prospects) are keen to attract new members, she said.