THE organisers of celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of the Bedale market charter hope they will attract financial help ranging from £50 to £5,000.

A local steering committee is planning a series of events next year with special emphasis on the May bank holiday week. The main attraction will be a medieval market and fair on May 29, which is expected to attract about 5,000 visitors.

Bedale is one of the three markets run by Hambleton District Council, and last week the policy committee made a one-off donation of £5,000 to the steering committee to help pay for administration.

Mr Steve Quartermain, head of planning, said the steering committee had originally asked for physical support in running the celebrations.

He added: "It was considered that the council did not have the staffing resources to do this and it might create a precedent for other event organisers throughout the district.

"However, because it is a celebration of a market charter held by the district council, it was considered that it would be appropriate if a £5,000 donation, towards total costs of £28,000, could be given to the steering committee to pay for administrative help.''

Meanwhile, the steering committee is launching a patrons' scheme to help support the celebrations.

It is asking people to give at least £50 towards staging a range of events which start with a week of celebrations at the spring bank holiday and extend through the summer, mainly at weekends, until September.

Anyone wishing to become a patron should contact Mrs Wanda Reynolds on 01677 422178