CATTERICK Sunday Market is to continue, despite an admission from the organisers that the event is in decline.

Rumours online that the Sunday market at Catterick Racecourse at the weekend was the last amid dwindling numbers of shoppers and traders have been rejected by the event's founder George Banks.

Mr Banks, from Northern Fairs Ltd, admitted that the market was less popular than it used to be, but said he believed it did have a future.

"It's been in decline like all markets have," he said.

"It started when there was nothing else to do on a Sunday - there was no Sunday opening

"But as far as I'm concerned it's still running and it's going to keep running."

Mr Banks said the market's fortunes had not been helped this year by the poor weather.

He added that the roadworks due to the ongoing improvements to the A1 had also had a big impact.

In November, the road between the racecourse and nearby Catterick Garrison was closed for 18 months while a new bridge was installed.

This has left customers to the market from the Catterick area having to travel via Richmond or Catterick Village.

Numerous other night closures have occurred on the A1, meaning traders heading to the market for an early start on Sunday have been discouraged from attending, Mr Banks said

"A lot of regular traders have been put off by the weather and the road works but were' definitely still on," he added.

The organiser said they were looking at ideas to breathe new life into the market from March onwards, with discussions over adding a car boot element or perhaps a craft fair.

"We're looking at lots of different options," he said.

The issues was discussed on-line this week on a Catterick community Facebook group.

One user said: "I was told last week was the last one - we went up and there was hardly any stalls."

But another person added: "We go most weeks and I actually get frustrated with how busy it is - I love the market and hope it doesn't go."

The first Sunday market was held at the racecourse in 1990.

The event is free to enter although local good cause are given the chance to collect donations at the gates.