AN application to open a fourth betting shop on a market town's high street has sparked objection.

James Darroch, of bookmakers Coral Northern Limited, has submitted an application for a betting licence in Northallerton.

If successful the company will run the fourth betting shop in the town centre, in premises formally leased by Lloyds TSB Bank.

The application will be considered by the Northallerton and Richmond betting licensing committee at Richmond magistrates court on Friday, April 11.

Two formal objections have already been made to the committee, but Mayor Jack Dobson said many more people had complained to him.

He said: "There seems to be a greater percentage of people who would rather see something other than a betting shop there.

"People have been objecting about the application to me and what I have advised them to do is to complain to the committee in writing and make sure they state a proper case for why they believe it shouldn't be granted."

Roger Cole, manager of Ottakars bookstore in Northallerton, is very much against the idea of another betting shop in such a prominent position.

He said: "If that is the best we can do to fill one of the major retail premises in the high street then it is a sad day.

"There are already three betting shops, do people really want to see another one opened there?"

Coral Northern does not need to apply for planning permission to Hambleton District Council.

The council's head of development services, Maurice Cann, said: "This is not a listed building and so there are no restrictions.

"The company does not need planning permission because the betting shop is in the same use-class as a bank.

"The council has been notified about the application but it doesn't really play a role."

Anyone wishing to complain in writing to the betting licensing committee has until the end of today to hand it in to Court House, on Racecourse Lane, Northallerton.