PROPOSALS for cut-price parking in a town have been rejected.

The Car Park Action Group had called for cheaper parking in Malton, saying the town was not a tourist action.

Campaigners wanted to see a 50p one-hour charge and an all-day £1.50 long-stay fee.

A report prepared by the group said the usage of Malton's car parks did not vary from season to season, unlike Pickering or Helmsley.

But Ryedale District Council's community services and licensing committee rejected the proposal.

Pickering councillor Linda Cowling said: "I don't see why we should make an exception for Malton, just because they have whinged a lot.

"I don't think they have provided any justification as to why they should have different fares for Malton than elsewhere in the district."

But fellow Pickering councillor Natalie Warriner said: "We have spent hours and hours and hours debating car parking issues in Malton.

"This group has done the work and come up with a solution.

"At the end of the day, if we see something reasonable, it's reasonable to consider it."

The committee backed a range of new fees for the district. They agreed to a 20p cut in two-hour long stay parking from £1.80 to £1.60 and to reintroduce a six-hour stay at £2.90. Other charges, including £1 for one hour and £4.50 for more than six hours, will remain the same. The new charges must be approved by two more committees before they take effect later this year.