CRUCIAL talks over the potential opening of a rail link between two Ryedale towns should be opened up to the public, it has been claimed.

Officers from North Yorkshire County Council have offered to talk to members of Ryedale District Council about any proposed development of the link between Malton and Pickering.

The county council met the Strategic Rail Authority - the Government agency which decides investment strategy for new rail development - behind closed doors last week.

But calls were made at the district council's community services and licensing committee meeting to open up any future discussions between the county and district councils to a wider audience.

Ryedale councillor Lin Cowling said she would like to see town councillors and members of Pickering in Business invited to join the talks.

Studies have suggested that an estimated 100,000 passengers would use the line each year, should the link be extended right through from York to Whitby.

It was suggested that up to 65,000 passengers could be using the railway if the line ran only from Pickering to Whitby.