While getting business cards printed for his new venture, Yorkshire Coast Window Cleaning, he got into a discussion about empty shops.

But he decided he could do something to make the town look a little better, got a list of derelict places in need of a clean and set to work – all for free.

He said: "They might not be perfect but they look 10 times tidier than they did, just by having the windows cleaned.

"It is putting something back because we have lived here a long time, although this is a reasonably new venture.

"Plus it is a good chance to practise.

"I am a one-man operation. I lost my job in IT at the end of January but it has taken quite a while to get all the gear together."

Over three days, Simon cleaned around 15 derelict properties in the town centre and Old Town.

And he said he hoped other people would follow his lead, urging people to take more pride in Bridlington.

Simon, of Seventh Avenue, said: "There is a lot of whinging and moaning, but people are better getting off their backsides and doing something.

"It's better to be pro-active, even if it just makes a small difference.

"If I owned a shop I would clean the shop next door. It could make no end of good for their own business."

Printing his business cards was Martyn Coltman of Burlington Design, who is chairman of Bridlington's Renaissance Partnership.

He said: "I really admire someone who is prepared to put time in completely free to help improve the town centre and I hope it inspires other business people to do something themselves.

"It is everyone's responsibility to try and regenerate Bridlington. It is the fact that someone cares."

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