Joe Hart spearheads We Love Shrewsbury campaign

The young England and Manchester City goalkeeper was born in Shrewsbury and began his career with hometown club, Shrewsbury Town, at the old Gay Meadow ground before joining Manchester City for £1.5 million in 2006.

Since then the 24-year-old who was head boy at Meole Brace School Science College has made the England goalkeeper’s jersey his own and has helped City to the top of the Premier League.

But the six foot four inch keeper has never forgotten his roots and now he is also spearheading the drive to "talk up" Shrewsbury and everything it has to offer.

The aim is to highlight the town’s virtues as a great place for shopping and leisure and as a fantastic place to live and work and one of its organisers is Kevin Lockwood, Manager for the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres.

He said: “Shrewsbury really is a wonderful town with so many reasons to visit it. It has great history and heritage and magnificent buildings and a lovely setting in a loop of the River Severn.

“It also has a great array of shops and places to eat and drink and it really is a delight just to wander around it.”

The precocious Hart was still a schoolboy when he first made the Shrewsbury Town first team squad and was just 17 when he made his debut, helping the Shrews back into the Football League at the first attempt after relegation the previous season.

Joe said: "I have fond memories of my time growing up and going to school in Shrewsbury. The people are really kind and friendly and it's a great place to visit.

“I'm happy to back the We Love Shrewsbury campaign."

Kevin Lockwood added that he was honoured to have the support of the England goalkeeper for the campaign.

He said: “Joe is a brilliant example of someone who has never forgotten his roots and who has gone on from his beginnings in Shrewsbury to become the first name on the England teamsheet.

“His dedication, hard work and talent has helped him achieve success at the very highest level and it is this sort of positive achievement which we want to recognise and celebrate in Shrewsbury.”

He added: “At the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres we like to think we play our own part in making the town a fun, lively and vibrant place.

"With so many great shops, places to eat and things to do, we have launched a campaign which champions Shrewsbury and reminds both residents and visitors of everything which is on offer.”