A GROUP of talentless buskers could be forced to attend an X Factor-style audition if they want to continue performing in two market towns.

Shoppers and businesses have demanded action over the accordion players who play a tuneless version of When The Saints Go Marching In for eight hours a day.

The buskers have become regular visitors to Leyburn and Richmond, in North Yorkshire.

The group of eastern Europeans are dropped off in the morning in a black Audi, shop workers say.

Gary Smith, from supermarket Campbells of Leyburn, said the buskers play outside the town’s Co-op store in the morning, before moving to the front of Campbells in the afternoon, when Co-op staff moved them on.

“It’s the noise that’s the problem. We’ve told them to move on, but they just move further down the street,” he said.

The group, which includes two men, a women and a teenager, have told people they come from Newcastle.

District councillor Tony Duff, who represents Leyburn and Harmby, has been discussing the situation with council bosses.

He said officers were looking at introducing permits which would be only issued to street performers who had passed an audition.

To pass, performers would need to play three songs to a reasonable standard in front of licensing officers.

Councillor Duff said: “I pass them on occasions making what I regard as a horrible racket.

“They’re causing an irritation to Leyburn and Richmond.”

He added: “There certainly seems to be what you might call a gangmaster who drops them off and no doubt relieves them of some of their cash.

“It’s going to take a little time, but we’re working on it as quickly as we can.”

The buskers have performed in the towns for the past two years.

Councillors have looked at introducing a bylaw to prevent the buskers from playing.

However, officials believe this could prove too expensive.

Coun Duff said the permits would be given free to buskers once they passed the audition, meaning they could be taken back if their standards dropped.