RESIDENTS are being asked to suggest names for a village's main road.

A mile-long stretch of the A684 between Back Lane, in Aiskew, and the bridge carrying the A1 over the road outside Leeming Bar has never had an official name, although most houses have individual names.

Aiskew and Leeming Bar Parish Council has suggested that it should be called Bedale Road, Aiskew, with properties receiving numbers following on from the last number in Bedale Road, Leeming Bar, to create clearer addresses.

It is hoped the move will clear up confusion, and Hambleton District Council is seeking the views of affected residents by January 15.

There must be 70 per cent of people in favour before the name becomes official.

The district council said the system would enable emergency services and visitors to find properties more easily and help with the delivery of mail and other goods. Officials said the drawback was that people's postcodes might change.

Numbered blocks of houses such as Rigby Terrace and Stanley Terrace would keep their present identities.

The idea was put forward by parish councillor Bob Pocklington, who has lived in the road for 32 years. He said: "I am retired and I am constantly being asked by delivery people where houses are while they park their vans on the road.

"One or two older people told me they believed it was generally known as Bedale Road anyway, so I took it to the parish council."