THE market places in Pickering and Helmsley are coming under the spotlight of North Yorkshire County Council's highways department.

At Pickering, a meeting will be held between police, the county council, Ryedale District and Pickering town councils and traders, to explore the future of the market.

Increasing congestion on market days is causing concern, which could lead to traffic being banned on Mondays, the main market day.

At Helmsley, the town council is protesting at plans to site a modern glass bus shelter and ramp next to the Feversham Memorial.

Lord Feversham, a member of the council, said: "We are unhappy about these drastic changes" .