ALTRINCHAM will be leading the high-street fightback this week as the centre of a new pilot scheme.

National High Street Perfect Day is part of the government's attempts to rejuvenate shopping districts across the country but will be tested on Friday in shops throughout town.

The 'perfect day' concept - set to be trialled on Friday - means that for one day a year every high street shop will look and feel the best it possibly can to try and attract customers.

The idea is inspired by a similar approach used by Sir John Timpson in the well-known retail and services stores which bear his name. He will be in Altricnham with high streets minister Jake Berry MP for the event on Friday.

Mr Timpson, who is chair of the Expert Advisory Panel on High Streets, said: "Altrincham is where I served my first customer, and that’s one of the reasons I proposed it as the pilot town for the National High Street Perfect Day.

"It’s a town where the partnerships are working really hard in a challenging national high street environment to buck the trend."

The project involves the whole community, including the businesses represented by the Altrincham Unlimited business improvement district (BID), schools, voluntary groups and Trafford Council.

This will include a a programme of jet washing and working with contractors to focus on the appearance of the town centre. Celebrations on the day will also include the town's first High Street Festival.