LUCK seems to have run out for a fortune teller who has been touting for business in a layby near Ripley.

Motorists and passers-by on the Ripley-Pateley Bridge road have been surprised by advertising boards, promising instant tarot readings by fortune teller Brenda - above - covering such things as love, luck and destiny.

However, complaints about her presence in a caravan, along with two vans and a bike in the layby near Ripley Castle, have prompted North Yorkshire County Council to rule that she must move on.

The clerk to Ripley parish meeting, Mr John Waller, said he had not been aware of any protests about her residence in the layby. When told she would be evicted shortly he said: "A little bit of colour will disappear from the area."

Mr Waller said he had not gone for a reading himself, but quipped: "I'd better be quick if they are going to move her on."

County Coun Richard Thomas said the vehicles had been camped there since before Christmas and residents believed it was time for them to go.

"People believe it is an inappropriate use of a layby which is there for vehicles to pull off the road on a temporary basis, not to stay for months on end," said Coun Thomas.

Police have expressed safety concerns because the layby is near a bend in the road. North Yorkshire highways engineer Mr Mike Hodgson said legal action was being taken to move the fortune teller on.

"The lady appears to be conducting a business from the roadside and that is not permitted," said Mr Hodgson.

Not everyone will be pleased to see her go. At Christmas, local people plated up a turkey dinner and delivered it to her. - BR/DST