The Secretary of State has thrown his support behind Market Rasen's campaign to save its high street.

In an exclusive response to the concerns of the town's high street traders, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles requested  ChrisTurner, spokesman for local growth and regeneration in the department of Communities and Local Government, to offer a word of encouragement and help.

And he invited Market Rasen to make a bid to become a 'Portas Pilot' - and become one of 12 towns in the UK to benefit from a share of £1 million to turn around their local high street.

Mr Turner said Market Rasen had already taken the first steps towards regaining prosperity by forming its Neighbourhood Community Plan group.

He said: "As you will be aware, Mary Portas was asked by the Prime Minister to conduct an independent review into the future of the High Street. Her report was presented to the Government in December last year and it contained a number of recommendations.  

"At the heart of her report, she wants the management of High Streets to match the best out of town shopping centres.  This would involve local authorities, business and local people working together, and her recommendations are about making this easier.

"The formation of your Community Plan group is the type of idea Ms Portas refers to in her report."

To help support the High Street, Mr Turner said the Government has made a number of proposals to help businesses. He said: "It has listened to concerns about the Retail Price Index (RPI) increase for 2012-13 business rates bills and is giving businesses the option of spreading the increase over three years.

"This will give businesses flexibility to manage their rates bills, particularly in the current economic climate, to help their cash flow and give them time to adjust to the impact of inflation.

"The Government has also doubled small business rate relief for two-and-half years, which will include the whole of the 2012-13 financial year. This could benefit over half a million businesses in England, with approximately a third of a million businesses paying no rates."

All eligible ratepayers automatically receive the small business multiplier and the Government is removing the legal red tape requiring ratepayers to fill in paperwork to claim the relief.

Local councils are also being given new powers to levy local business rate discounts, for example, to support local shops, community pubs, new business parks or vital local facilities, via the Localism Act.  The new power will be available from April this year.

Mr Turner said: "Following on from the Portas Review, Grant Shapps, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, who will be taking forward the recommendations in the Portas Review, recently announced a competition to choose 12 towns and cities in England to become 'Portas Pilots'.

"Successful bidders will benefit from a share of £1m to turn around their local high streets. Those bidding will need to demonstrate a real transformational vision on how they can breathe new life into their high street or shopping parade and should have the strong support of their local community and a range of local partners."

Mayor of Market Rasen Coun Ken Bridges was unconvinced the Portas Pilots scheme was the way forward for Market Rasen.

He said: "How many hoops do you need to jump through to get chosen. I think Market Rasen is too small for this initiative.

"I'm sure Gainsborough are putting their name forward for this."

However, a meeting of traders in the town last night unanimously called for the town to be cleaned up as the best way forward.

Steve Hine, of Indulgence frangrance shop in Queen Street, said about 40 people turned up to the meeting at Holy Rood Church.

He said: "We had a good exchange of ideas and I think a Chamber of Commerce will be formed as a result of it.

"The council spoke about the enforcement action on landlords and the general feeling was the town needed a clean-up and to look good."

 Further information about Portas Pilots and the prospectus can be found by visiting this link.

The Government will respond formally to the Portas Review in the spring.