Wallingford Town Council is to set up a working party to prepare for celebrations in 2005, marking the 850th anniversary of the signing of the town's royal charter.

Mayor-elect Nigel Moor and Cllr Denis Strange are to spearhead the group, together with historians Judy and Stuart Dewey.

The group will include two invited representatives from each of the following: Wallingford Business Partnership, South Oxfordshire District Council, the Sinodun Players drama group, the Northmoor Trust nature group, and the youth club.

Fellow council members voted for the working party to be set up.