NORTH Yorkshire is hoping to welcome the Pirelli British Rally Championship back next year after this year's visit had tills ringing in Pickering and Malton.

As many as 250,000 people are believed to have either been involved in or watched the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire at the end of last month.

Hotels were so full that enterprising residents rented out their homes to visitors, while shops, pubs and restaurants teemed with customers.

"I am delighted the rally has been such a great success," said chairman of Ryedale District Council, Councillor Brian Cottam.

"The event raised the profile of the district as a major tourist destination, where hospitality of the local people comes to the fore.

"I am confident that Ryedale will always provide a welcome for major rallying events."

Malton and Norton town centre manager Peter Mudge said there would be a knock-on effect for the town.

"Many local traders are seeing their profits increase as people who made money on the weekend reinvest in their business and as visitors enjoy shopping and the market as a result of ongoing publicity," he said.

Despite the success of the event, some traders have raised concerns about the impact of road closures on their businesses - and the rally's commercial co-ordinator, Bob Batty, has promised to look into the issue.

"We will be looking into this and talking to the businesses concerned when planning next year's event," he said.