A ROW over market traders parking their vans in the high street at Guisborough is on course for a compromise.

A meeting has been held to find a way of settling the issue, attended by town councillors, police, market officials and Lord Gisborough's agent, Mr Andrew Argyle.

It resulted in a message to traders, voiced by the deputy chairman of the town council, Coun Barbara Punshon. "There is no question but that we want the market to stay in Guisborough," she said.

Coun Punshon chaired last Friday's meeting in Sunnyfield House. Also present were Couns Keith Pudney, Anne Franklin, Bill Clarke and Mary Kirkpatrick, along with market official Mrs Kath Wilson, Mr Argyle, Insp Tom Brown and Mr Derek Gittings of Redcar and Cleveland council.

The clash of interests arose after the council received complaints and was asked to take action about traders parking vehicles beside their stalls, causing obstructions for other motorists.

Claims were also made that they were parking on double yellow lines and in disabled spaces.

Lord Gisbrough, who owns the market, told the council he had given traders permission to park near stalls because vehicles had been subject to vandalism and thefts in public car parks. He said the move was experimental.

But the council took a hard line, saying Lord Gisbrough's ancient rights did not match modern parking laws.

Mr Argyle told last Friday's meeting that other markets allowed traders to park on cobbles, and said stallholders might consider leaving Guisborough if the council made a fuss.

Insp Brown said he had not had any reports of drivers having problems with lines of vision and that his warden had not noticed any double yellow parking.

Mrs Wilson said there had been confusion over disabled spaces, but she would try to ensure stalls were not pitched on those spaces.

Mr Argyle said he would try to ensure drivers' vision was not restricted by asking that high-sided market vehicles were kept away from junctions. He also pledged that stalls would not be on disabled spaces.

The situation would be reviewed in March when the 12-month trial period ended, he said.

Councillors said there was a chance traders could use the paved area near the market cross, but added that strict measures would be needed to protect the York stone.

Coun Punshon said paving that area had moved many stalls further down the high street. Coun Pudney suggested using the taxi rank area during the day, as taxis were generally not needed until evening.

Mr Gittings agreed stalls could go on there during the day.

The council was accused of not wanting a market in the town but Coun Punshon refuted this. "We made some progress," she said. "No-one ever said we didn't want the market. The market is good for Guisborough and we want to keep it.

"But the meeting cleared the air. It was good to sit down and talk, and everyone learned something about the others' point of view. We will now go forward through negotiation, towards a compromise."

A report will be made to Redcar and Cleveland council.