Skipton is one of hundreds of towns across the country losing their unique character and becoming a "clone".

Identical shops are spreading like "weeds in a garden" according to an economic think tank which is concerned at the multi-national chains which have squeezed out specialist and individual retailers.

The New Economics Foundation (NEF) is calling on consumers to fill in a survey to find out if their town is a "clone town" or "home town" or falls into a border category.

Using the formula devised by NEF, the Herald rated Skipton as a clone town, although the picture changes dramatically once off the High Street.

The NEF survey asks consumers to walk down their High Street and make note of the first 50 shops they see and whether they are part of a chain or individually own. Points are also awarded for diversity.

Skipton's High Street falls into the clone town category, but an enclave surrounding David Goldie's shop at the top end and which includes the Wild Oats health food store, two cafs, Just 'n' So antiques and Farmhouse Fayre improves the town's score.

At the other end of the street, a number of small individual shops along Middle Row also provide a haven of individuality.

However just off the High Street there is a very different picture. Areas such as Victoria Square Otley Street and Newmarket Street and, to a lesser extent, Craven Court, Swadford Street and Keighley Road offer a wide range of individual stores.