TRADERS have won a battle to prevent Guisborough town centre being closed to traffic.

Planners who proposed closing off Westgate during a farmers' market had been accused of taking panic measures.

However, on Tuesday councillors instead decided to slow traffic to 20mph and deploy lollipop men and women on the day of the market - Saturday, December 7.

Members of Guisborough Business Association and the Market Town Initiative have supported the idea of a speciality market, but were worried that closing Westgate Road would cause problems for deliveries and hit businesses.

Coun Keith Pudney, Labour councillor for Guisborough, said: "It is hoped that this is a success and that there may be other markets. However, I don't feel we can just allow things to exist without proper measures."

Joan Rees, the council's director of development, said: "We do need to look at closure of the road for other markets but that is a big thing that needs a lot of planning and we need time.

"We have the chance to survey what happens this time and look at the issue again."