Around 200 people participated in the event, entitled 'Oor Alford – Hae Yer Say' which took place in the town's Haughton Arms Hotel last Friday (April 3).

Twenty groups had stalls at the event that was arranged by Donside Community Council, Marr Area Partnership and Alford Community Development Group.

John Lewis, vice-chairman of Donside Community Council and chairman of Marr Area Partnership, was pleased with how the event went.

He said: "I was very happy with the cross section of age groups that attended the event and in particular the young people who showed remarkable maturity in the questions they asked and posted on the boards.

"What was particularly impressive was the way all of the community groups worked together to make this a very successful day all round. It has opened up communication between groups that will be long lasting and ultimately of great benefit to Alford and its future."

Pupils from Alford Academy and members of the Alford Youth Forum were also present at the event.

Rebecca Gordon, 17, a member of the Alford Youth Forum, said: "As a young person you sometimes feel like your voice isn't heard so it was great to be invited along to this event. The major issue we are concerned about is transport around Alford.

"Public transport between all of the villages around Alford is virtually non-existent which makes it almost impossible to meet up with your friends at weekends without having to rely on your parents or somebody with a car to give you a lift. We would like to see more public transport around the local area along with more recycling areas and a new gym."

Representatives from local developers the Stewart Milne Group, Scotia Homes and Kirkton Homes attended the event, as did Sir Robert Smith MP and Mike Rumbles MSP.

Mr Rumbles added: "This was a tremendous community initiative and an excellent example for other communities. I was very impressed by the organisation and the amount of stalls on show.

"There was a great turnout on the day and what particularly pleased me was seeing the amount of young people who were there and making their voices heard."

The information gathered from the event will be published in a local planning report along with being included in the Aberdeenshire Council Local Development Plan.