PARKING charges would damage a town's trade, say business leaders.

One of the proposals in a county council traffic management study for Leyburn is to introduce a pay and display system in the Market Place and Grove Square.

But, businesses fear the move would drive shoppers and visitors away from the town.

Doug Campbell, of R Campbell and Sons supermarket, has made his concerns known in a council questionnaire on the strategy.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned we want as much free parking as possible. If you go to Tesco you don't have to pay for parking."

Land in the centre of Leyburn is owned by the town council.

Leyburn mayor Ian Barker, who runs a jewellers shop, said the council would not make an official comment until it had listened to residents.

North Yorkshire County Council wants to make the town safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and develop a new parking plan.