TRADERS yesterday won a battle to prevent a town centre being closed to traffic.

Planners who proposed closing off Guisborough's main shopping street, Westgate, during a farmers' market, had been accused of taking 'panic measures'.

However, yesterday councillors instead decided to slow traffic to 20mph and deploy lollypop men and women on the day of the market, on Saturday, December 7.

Members of Guisborough Business Association and the Market Town Initiative have supported the idea of a speciality market, but were worried that closing Westgate Road would cause serious problems for deliveries and hit businesses.

Councillor Keith Pudney, Labour councillor for Guisborough, said: "It is hoped that this is a success and that there may be other markets. However, I don't feel we can just allow things to exist without proper measures. Pedestrian shoppers need to know they are important and they can't be corralled anywhere."

Joan Rees, the council's director of development, said: "We do need to look at closure of the road for other markets but that is a big thing that needs a lot of planning and we need time. We have the chance to survey what happens this time and look at the issue again."