MEET Heather Britton, a woman determined to put Watford well and truly on the map.

As the new town centre manager, she is preparing to make the town a more vibrant and attractive place to go to.

And she is making it her personal mission to distinguish Watford from motorway services some 50 miles away, which go by the name of Watford Gap.

She said: "I know that when some people think of Watford they think of the football club and of Watford Gap.

"However, we are nowhere near Watford Gap and there are lots of things happening in the town other than football.

"I want to be able to promote all those things and make Watford a more attractive place for our visitors."

Having worked with BT up until March last year, Heather applied for the role of town centre manager because she wanted a change of direction.

The post makes Heather the public face of the Watford Town Centre Partnership, an umbrella group for organisations with a stake in the town centre, including The Harlequin shopping centre and the Chamber of Commerce.

She said: "I wanted to leave corporate life and do something more community based and I am looking forward to seeing Watford become an even more vibrant place with lots of things going on for locals and visitors to enjoy.

"Many people know the town for its superb shopping facilities, and the many other fantastic things that Watford offers, including the Palace Theatre.

"My aim is to ensure that residents, businesses and visitors continue to find Watford an exciting place to be."

Heather will work with local groups to help organise special one-off events. She will also be producing a Watford events guide, to raise the profile of everything that is going on.

She said: "There is lots of talent in Watford and I would like to give it a stage. I have met so many people already and that's part of the pleasure of this job.

"This is an exciting time for Watford and there are going to be lots of changes.

"Everybody I meet is so enthusiastic about the town and I am looking forward to promoting Watford as a great place to be."

Heather would like to hear from anyone who may be a member of a local club or performance group who would like to have an opportunity to showcase their skills at forthcoming events to be held in the town centre.

The town centre manager can be contacted by emailing heather.britton@watford.gov.uk or by telephone on 01923 278397.