A north-east community council which collapsed last year is on the brink of re-launching after local residents rallied to kick start the voluntary group.
The Peterhead community council was dissolved in the autumn due to a lack of interest but last month Aberdeenshire Council issued a fresh appeal for volunteers in the area to step forwards.
Now the local authority has received the 12 formal requests for the community council to be re-established. Should more than 20 volunteers submit their names an election will be held.
Community councils are voluntary bodies but have statutory rights to be consulted on planning applications in their areas.
The town is shared between two local authority wards and as a result there will be 10 community councillors representing the north of Peterhead and another 10 for the south.
Last night former community councillor Stephen Calder, who was elected to Aberdeenshire Council as an independent member last month, said the community group has a vital role to play in the area.
“It’s an important part of the way the town works,” Mr Calder said. “It’s essential with all the developments which are taking place and the changes we’re facing.
“I think we’ll get a fair few new faces.”
Appealing for a resident to step forward, a spokesman for the Third Sector Support Group which oversees the scheme said: “There is quite a bit of work involved in being a good community councillor.
“It is important that your community know that you are a community councillor and how to contact you”.
To join the new Peterhead Community Council, candidates must apply by the closing date of Wednesday, June 14.
Buchan House in the town’s St Peter Street has nomination forms which are also available at Aberdeenshire Council’s website.
To be eligible for the community council, candidates must be aged 18 and over and either be appear on the electoral roll for the area or have their principal residence within the boundary.
Business owners in Peterhead can also put their names forward.