Fair City wins slow life accolade

Perth has a high proportion of independent retailers

Perth has become the first Scottish town to join the growing European "Cittaslow" movement.

It forms a network of more than 100 towns across the continent dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Cittaslow, which means "slow city", began in Italy during 1999, partly as a reaction to the negative aspects of fast food culture.

It is hoped the accolade will also boost tourism in Perth.

Douglas Ritchie, Perth's Cittaslow project manager, said the movement aimed to champion local produce while residents took life at a slower pace.

'Quality endorsement'

"The vast majority of shops in Perth are independently owned by local people," he said.

"They have different product ranges and, because they're run by local people, you get a good quality of service where you're treated as an individual - you're not just in and out the door."

Vicki Miller, of tourism body VisitScotland Perthshire, said: "What Cittaslow will do is give us a quality endorsement, that when you come to Perthshire you can take your time and enjoy good quality, locally produced food in fantastic surroundings."

Several towns south of the border, including Ludlow in Shropshire, and Aylsham and Diss in Norfolk, have joined the Cittaslow movement.