BUSINESS leaders in Malton say the town is experiencing a retail boom - and predict that the local economy will continue to improve.

The claims are being made amid news that the town has one of the highest rates of occupancy for retail premises in five years.

The Fitzwilliam Estate, which owns a large number of premises in the town, has announced that just two properties are not spoken for.

Estate manager Roddy Bushell said: "Virtually every one of our retail properties is occupied - we have turned a corner in proving the growing attraction of Malton as a retail centre.

"Seven are actually empty, but one of these is about to be let and four are being redeveloped so that the town can meet the demands for larger units. On average, we have a dozen vacant properties at any one time, so our current low vacancy rate is very encouraging."