CAMPAIGNERS protesting against plans to build a supermarket Malton have handed over a petition ahead of a crunch meeting next week.

Plans to build a store and petrol station on Wentworth Street car park in Malton will go before a special meeting of Ryedale District Council's planning committee on April 24, with officers recommending the application is approved.

However members of Malton Against SuperStore – known as Mass - have presented a 3,804-signature petition to planning officials.

A spokesman said the petition gave local people a voice in the crucial decision on the future of Wentworth Street car park.

"Although the campaign has generated nationwide interest, the overwhelming majority of signatories are from the local area,” said the spokesman.

“They are the people who know the town well, have a clear idea of its distinct heritage and an equally clear idea of the kind of future they want for Malton and Norton – which they have made very plain does not include a superstore on the car park."