COUNCILLORS at Pickering fear the possible closure of its tourist information centre could be a big blow to the market town's lucrative holiday industry.

Councillor Natalie Warriner, former Mayor and ex-head of the town's Pickering in Business group, said: "We rely on the centre because it helps to keep our economy buoyant."

She said she would press the case for it to be retained at Ryedale District Council, of which she is a member.

The future of centres at Malton and Helmsley are also being considered and could be re-located, with Malton's going to the town centre management office and Helmsley's to the visitor centre at the town's castle.

The district council said it needs to save £500,000 on its budget for the coming year.