TOURISTS who park in Masham's market place are to be encouraged to pay for the privilege through the introduction of honesty boxes.

The town has always fought shy of ticket machines in the square, locals believing the parking perk has helped to attract visitors.

Now, in an attempt to secure more income for the parish council, an honesty box will be erected to tempt cash from motorists.

Two boxes already operate successfully in the nearby recreation ground.

The market place, overlooked by the 11th Century St Mary's Church, is owned by the nearby Swinton Estate, but rented at £1 a year to the parish council.

Parish councillor and Masham's district representative on Harrogate Borough Council, Nigel Simms, said: "We don't want to start introducing parking charges in Masham because we want to encourage motorists to come here.

"The idea of the honesty box in the market place is to get tourists making some sort of contribution to the upkeep of the area.

"We don't suggest what people should put in the boxes, but the contributions all help to the upkeep of the market place which covers about four acres, and is one of the largest around."

Masham does not add a parish precept to council taxes charged by North Yorkshire County Council or the district council, preferring to rely on the income it can generate.

Mr Simms said: "We want to make the honesty box look subtle, so tourists will wander up to it and find out what it is - and then pop some coins in.

"Contributions at the present honesty boxes vary from pound coins to coppers, but it all helps."