HOUSING, transport and broadband Internet were last week identified by Minister for Rural Affairs Alun Michael as the key to the future of the region's market towns.

He was speaking at the launch event of a Yorkshire and Humber network of Action for Market Towns held at Thirsk Racecourse.

The network has been set up to bring people from small market towns together to share problems and experiences as they try to encourage businesses and customers into the towns.

A series of events has been organised to allow representatives to meet and discuss issues such as traffic congestion, how to market their towns and how to connect with businesses.

Speaking at Friday's event, Mr Michael said: "Market towns are absolutely crucial and are the centre of the wider community. It is very important to work together, to learn from each other and to exchange ideas.

"Some of the main issues affecting the countryside are housing, transport, the diversity of jobs and the availability of broadband Internet.

"They are interdependent because people need housing and they need transport. For a long time there has been a great emphasis on getting broadband in rural areas and we are going to see a great leap forward over the next couple of years."

Twenty-five pro-hunt protesters waited for Mr Michael at the entrance to the racecourse with placards and banners, but they later dispersed after what police called a 'good-natured protest.'

Following speeches by Mr Michael and Coun John Weighell, the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, 200 delegates spent the rest of the day at a series of workshops.

North Yorkshire County Council has played a leading role in setting up the regional network.

Coun Weighell said: "It is desperately important that we try to make market towns more attractive. They have certainly got to be more customer friendly.

"The great challenge facing the rural economy is firstly how to bring business in and secondly how to keep the customers spending money within their local communities."