A £100,000 scheme to spruce up a picturesque market place should finally be completed in time for the Bank Holiday.

The Thirsk scheme has seen contractors individually relay by hand almost 300,000 cobbles - particularly around the most heavily used southern side of the town’s marketplace.

Hambleton District Council leader Mark Robson visited to see the final touches being made and described the project as a long and very labour intensive job.

“Work was slowed down in February, March and the early part of April due to a period of prolonged unseasonably cold weather,” he said.

“Both the daytime and night time temperatures were regularly too cold for the cement-based materials to be used.

“But despite that we have managed to repair nearly 100sq metres more cobbles than initially planned.”

He added: “We hope that both residents and visitors will appreciate the refurbishment – and the investment we are making in our market towns.”

Just earlier this week members of the local town council expressed frustration over the progress of the scheme – but said they understood delays had been caused by unfavourable weather.

The surface markings will now be replaced at the end of June when the new cobbles have been scrubbed by vehicle use.

  • There will still be a small area cordoned off this weekend while the most recently laid cobbles cure - but without disrupting the market. The barriers will be removed by May 31.