TRADERS say they are losing thousands of pounds of business because of roadworks in Thirsk.

Businesses believe that the work is putting off customers and leading tourists to bypass the town.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out the work, which aims to improve pedestrian safety and cut the risk of accidents.

It centres on the Market Place, Kirkgate, Millgate and Finkle Street. A number of roads have been closed and diversions are in place around the town.

A total of 22 parking spaces in the Market Place are being taken up by an equipment compound.

Don Moore, chairman of Thirsk and District Business Association, said traders should be compensated for their losses.

He claimed one business was losing up to £3,000 a week because of the disruption.

"How are some of the businesses going to make that back up again?" he asked. "The financial losses are critical.

"We have got to make a sufficiently strong stance and not just accept it and roll over. We have got to get the maximum compensation for people who have lost out."

Mr Moore said the work was also confusing residents, adding: "Pedestrian access is terrible at the moment, especially for older people.

"They are walking around bewildered and bemused because of all the closures."

The work started on September 12 and is due to be completed on October 27.

Barrie Mason, the council's traffic management and road safety manager, said traders could apply for a reduction in their business rates because of the disruption.

"Whether or not that reduction applies is down to the valuation office," he said.

"We will provide whatever information the valuation office needs to be able to process claims from local businesses."

He said roads had to be closed because they were too narrow to carry out the work with traffic passing through.

He said: "We did have discussions with the business community about the best time to carry out the work and it was felt that this time was the best because it avoided the summer tourist season and the busy Christmas period."

Finkle Street is due to be re-opened tomorrow