Yarm Fair is expected to have dramatic displays of horse "flashing" again next year, if a safety agreement can be drawn-up between Cleveland police and travellers.

Yarm Town Council was this week quietly optimistic that the display would return in some form next year.

Representatives from the three sides met in private recently, and Yarm Town Council chairman Coun Liz Marsden reported this week: "It was a very fruitful meeting. We made a few strides forward and there's a better relationship between everybody. People spoke frankly and were genuinely trying to find a solution.

"Next year, horses will be allowed to follow the traction engine procession. And flashing will be allowed for 20 minutes following the speeches."

She said safety assessments would be carried out to make sure nobody was hurt. A further meeting was planned for the new year. The council would check its public liability cover and see whether insurance premiums would be affected.

"The travellers have undertaken the task of looking after discipline among show people," she added.

However, Coun Philip Addison said some newspaper reports were overly-optimistic about the prospect of a return to flashing - the practice of riding horses up and down to show off their qualities.

"Things aren't quite as rosy as they might seem. We have to have risk assessments and an agreement between travellers and police."

He said the High Street might be closed earlier to accommodate flashing.

Great Ayton man Brian Winn attended Tuesday night's town council meeting to express his support for the horsemanship.

"I'm absolutely delighted to hear the results of your meeting. I come from four generations of Ayton farmers. I have attended Stokesley Fair for many years and, more recently, Yarm. Over that time, I've become very friendly with the travellers and it was lovely to see so many of them in Yarm. I was invited to last year's travellers' Christening ceremony at Yarm High Street which was a great privilege.

"However, I was horrified to hear recently the horses could be banned. I felt so strongly about this that I travelled here tonight to express my feelings."

He suggested Cleveland police had over-reacted to an incident during last year's flashing.

"One child was out of control on a horse, which was a concern. However, the police should compare that single incident with the large number of car accidents on urban roads."

Coun Marsden thanked him and emphasised: "That person you mentioned was showing off and was disciplined by the travellers."

Speaking later, travellers' solicitor David Yorke said: "We agreed there can be no prohibition because there is a royal charter permitting the sale and presence of livestock. Only Parliament or the Queen could ban it. We're looking at safety aspects and don't want any accidents.