Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has appointed a multi-disciplinary team of consultants including Cleaver Fulton Rankin to prepare a masterplan for Carrickfergus town centre.

The aim is to make the County Antrim town a more attractive place to tourists, residents and businesses.

The plan will identify key town centre sites and make recommendations on their development.

The minister said that the plan would be an important boost in the regeneration of the town.

"This will be quite a challenge in the current difficult economic climate," she said.

"However, I am already encouraged by the willingness of the private sector to get involved in the process through the Carrickfergus Development Company.

"I trust that the development opportunities will be taken up in the coming years and that this will increase the economic vibrancy of the town and help to promote Carrickfergus's proud heritage."

Cleaver Fulton Rankin will be working closely with the Paul Hogarth Company, a Belfast-based firm of planning consultants to prepare the Masterplan. The plan is to be completed by August.