A ROW has erupted over a difference in rules between regular stallholders and the monthly farmers' market in Northallerton.

The latter should have been held on Wednesday, but was cancelled on Tuesday afternoon ahead of forecasts of snow.

Regular traders are angry that the farmers will not have to pay any pitch rent, but that stallholders who were unable to get to Northallerton on Wednesday because of bad conditions will still be charged the normal fees.

Paul Winn, chairman of the Hambleton branch of the Market Traders' Federation, said the same rules should apply to all, and has raised the issue with Hambleton Council technical officer, Alan Maudsley.

"This is just not fair," said Mr Winn. "When it was agreed the farmers' market would stand alongside traditional stalls once a month, we understood they would be subject to the same regulations. It seems this is not the case."

Mr Maudsley confirmed the farmers would not be charged. "That market is regarded as a separate entity," he said.

But he told Mr Winn he would discuss the matter with senior officers at the council.

One trader who had travelled from the Stanley area of County Durham was particularly angry. "I made the effort to get down here even though conditions were bad," he said. "I am unlikely to do much business, but I would still have had to pay if I had stayed at home."

Many regulars stayed away on Wednesday, and those who did brave the elements were not expecting to do much business.

The farmers' market was cancelled on Tuesday by the Northern Dales Farmers' Market initiative.

* Conditions are getting back to normal across North Yorkshire after widespread disruption in the big freeze.

Schools were closed and drivers battled against hazardous road conditions as some routes were shut down after being blocked by snow. An army of gritters fought to keep as many roads open as possible.

By Wednesday evening, police were advising drivers not to venture out as the risk of getting stuck in drifting snow blown by high winds was increasing. Motorists were warned that even the force's 4X4 vehicles might be unable to reach stranded vehicles in some locations.

Most of North Yorkshire's 400 primary and secondary schools remained open; 40 were closed, including the Allertonshire in Northallerton.

Farmers helped council teams work to keep roads clear. Tonnes of grit and rock salt were spread to try to keep the snow and ice at bay across the county's 5,000 miles of road.

At the height of the operation, 74 gritter wagons and 59 farm contractors were called into action