District council deputy leader Coun Brian Percival suggested fault-finders should instead look to the town's "fantastic" future while unveiling his vision for the final stages of the ambitious multi-million pound improvement programme.

Much-maligned regeneration includes Gowthorpe road improvements, traffic-calming speed tables and new bus stops.

Focal point Market Cross is also being revamped, as well as the Ousegate-based Linear Park development to improve the run-down gateway into Selby.

Coun Percival said: "We need to stop looking down at the pavement and start looking up and being ambitious.

"A town isn't a town without its residents. For all the quality design that has gone into street-scaping, it means nothing without the vibrancy of its people. We have to move Selby forward."

The Tory member's wish-list includes:

* hosting an August carnival party featuring theatre and dance events, blending into an evening of musical and lighting displays within the abbey's shade

* sprucing up the Ousegate derelict petrol station by razing existing structures and replacing them with greenery once a land dispute is resolved

* ridding town centre streets of its "binge-drinking" weekend image; and

* getting the blueprints back on track for the faltering Barlby Road-based Olympia Park project incorporating homes and business units.

See this week's Selby Times for more on this exclusive story.