A PARK-and-ride scheme during a popular town fair is to continue - but showmen are being asked to foot the bill.

The system was introduced to ease traffic problems during Northallerton's May Fair. The original scheme was funded jointly by department store Barkers, Northallerton Chamber of Trade and the Show-man's Guild, who each put in £150.

But Hambleton District Council is considering including the total cost of the coach hire in the licence for the fair.

Chief executive Peter Simpson said the traders had suggested that as car parking spaces for shoppers were taken up by show vehicles during the event, the showmen should be asked to pay a greater proportion of the costs.

He said the park-and-ride would start at 10am next year instead of 9am and finish at 5pm