A SCHEME aimed at attracting more market traders to an ailing town is likely to continue for another year.

Hambleton District Council launched an initiative in April 2000 to promote Bedale market, including a reduction in rents, but it has made little impact.

Officers at the authority said the number of regular traders has fallen to between nine and 12 and there are now said to be concerns about the impact of a new supermarket on the traders' livelihoods.

Only six extra traders have shown an interest in taking part in a Queen's Golden Jubilee market on June 4.

But the council's director of planning and environmental services, Steve Quartermain, is recommending that the scheme continues for another year, with more emphasis being placed on promoting the event.

He said the council had first acted after hearing allegations in 1999 that the market was declining rapidly.

"What did emerge was a picture of a market which had struggled to hold its own through difficult times, with the number of permanent traders fluctuating between 17 and 12 during the past four or five years," he said.

"In particular, the market had always displayed a marked seasonal fluctuation with the least number of traders attending during the winter months. This pattern continues to repeat itself."