A CALL was made this week for a multi-storey car park to be built in Thirsk to alleviate parking problems.

Traders believe the lack of a large car park is the most important issue to be tackled with money given to the town under the market towns inititive.

A representative from the consultants appointed to put together an action plan under the initiative met members of the chamber of trade this week to hear what ideas they had for the regeneration of the town.

The three-year grant award made earlier this year could, with matching funding, bring in £1m to be spent in the town.

Parking came high up on the list of priorities, said local businessman Mr Roger Bedford.

He said: "Until something is done on a large scale re parking in town, we are all losing business. Hambleton District Council is aware of the problem but all it can suggest is piecemeal parking spaces. This is no good. We need sufficient funds to build a proper car park."

Coun Steve Hubbard, a member of Thirsk Town Council, added: "The present car park on Millgate is used mainly by workers in the town who almost fill it each day leaving no room for visitors.

"It is ironic that Thirsk is a market town yet on Mondays and Saturday the market actually takes up half the parking in the town centre."