PARKING charges would be the "death knoll" for a town, say business leaders.

One of the proposals in a county council traffic management study for Leyburn is to introduce a pay-and-display system in the Market Place and Grove Square.

But some businesses fear the move would drive shoppers and visitors away from the town.

Doug Campbell, of R Campbell and Sons supermarket, has made his concerns known in a council questionnaire on the strategy, sent out to thousands of residents and businesses.

"As far as I'm concerned we want as much free parking as possible," he said.

"If you go to Tesco you don't have to pay for parking.

"There is a problem with people parking all day, but whatever the council does, they must make sure they don't leave us in a pickle."

Land in the centre of Leyburn is owned by the town council.

Leyburn Mayor Ian Barker, who runs Ian Barker Jewellers, said the council would not make an official comment until it had listened to residents.

"Personally, I think it would be the death knoll for Leyburn - I don't think it would work," he said. Rosemary Metcalfe, from the Golden Lion Hotel, said another of the suggestions, to make the area disc parking, was preferable.

North Yorkshire County Council wants to make the town safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and develop a new parking strategy for the town.

Officers say no work will start until residents and businesses have been consulted.

The Leyburn and Mid-Wensleydale Business Association has sent a letter to its members saying companies should make individual representation on the proposals to the council.