AN attempt is to be made to hold a poll in Ripon to allow voters to decide whether to scrap controversial parking charges on the city's Market Place.

Independent councillors David Parnaby and Andrew Williams have secured signatures of ten electors to spark the parish poll.

But to keep costs to a minimum, they want the election held on the same day as votes are cast for local government elections in Ripon - May 2.

Coun Parnaby, until recently a LibDem member of Ripon City Council, said: "Parking charges on the Market Place were introduced 18 months ago to pay for security cameras in the area. They have now been paid for and we think it's time to remove parking charges."

The maximum stay in the Market Place was an hour, for 60p, with 20p being charged for 20 minute stays.

Harrogate Borough Council has recently promised a review of parking charges in Ripon, but the two councillors thought it was an ideal opportunity to "let the people" speak on the issue.