Cheltenham is a wonderful place to live, work and play, says Gloucestershire Echo editor Kevan Blackadder.

Tuesday's Gloucestershire Echo is a special edition as a direct result of the messages we have been getting from our readers.

In the Echo's letters page, in our articles and on our website, www.thisisglouc- estershire.co.uk, Cheltonians frequently say that this special town can be an even better place.

They want it to maintain its unique feel, but also move forward. We are nearing the end of the first decade of the new millennium but so much more can be done to make Cheltenham a true 21st century town, while still maintaining its historic atmosphere.

In today's and tomorrow's Echo, we've taken a wide range of views on what should be done. But the most important people are the ones we haven't spoken to yet – you.

We'd like you to contact us with your views, by telephone, by letter, by email or via our website. Eventually, we'd like to produce a Dossier for Change that can be presented to Cheltenham Borough Council.

This exercise is not an attempt to criticise the council. The reaction to its Civic Pride initiative has been mixed. But it does include many ideas that make perfect sense. A new look for the centre of town is desperately needed and if better use can be made of the Municipal Offices by moving council staff to a modern, more cost-effective building, what is wrong with that?

I have my concerns on whether traffic will move as freely as it expects when some of the major roads are closed, but maintaining the status quo is just not an option.

The town also needs to take account of the outside threats to its retail trade from new shopping centres like Bristol's Cabot Circus.

The possibilities for improvements are unlimited. Look at some of the ideas included in today's paper. Our MP wants a safer, greener and fairer Cheltenham. We've some fascinating views from young mums and new graduates.

Tomorrow, look out for a controversial suggestion from Cheltenham Racecourse's Edward Gillespie and some interesting thoughts from local business people.

On our website today we are asking people to send in pictures in support of Your Town – Your Future in three different categories – preserve, change and improve.

And that sums up the message of Your Town – Your Future.

■ Preserve – Cheltenham is known as England's most complete Regency town and that must be protected at all costs.

■ Change – A town should never stand still. But what are the measures that will change Cheltenham for the better?

■ Improve – This should not just apply to Cheltenham's buildings, but to its facilities and society in equal measure.

Your Town – Your Future gives you the opportunity to have your say. Will you take it?