SHOPPERS in a North Yorkshire town will have more chance to spend their money this week with the opening of a new street market.

Traders will set up stalls along Commercial Street in Norton for the first time tomorrow in a bid to revitalise existing shops.

Market organiser Simon Boak, from The Events Office in Pickering, hoped the trial run would prove successful.

"All the Ryedale markets are charter markets, so what we are saying is that this is the first new one for more than 100 years," he said.

"The idea is to get people into the street and then they will go along to the existing shops."

Mr Boak said between eight to 12 traders had expressed a keen interest in Thursday's event.

"I am quite confident there will be enough for a good start, and a few more may see how this week goes and then come along to the second one.

"We do have to work at it and see how it goes, but hopefully there will be a real buzz in Norton."

Malton and Norton town centre marketing manager Peter Mudge said it was down to shoppers to show their support.

"My hope is that it's going to be a roaring success, a positive step for Norton so it will be able to continue beyond the trial four-week run," he said.

"The whole reason for doing it is to try and help Norton shops.

"Markets are seen as a very positive step in bringing people in, and I hope the traders and local shopkeepers do well out of it."

Norton's mayor Keith Mennell said he would be heading to the first market.

"I am hoping that it's going to be a success, and that it will draw a bit of trade to our towns," he said.

"If we can give our shops in Norton a boost, all well and good.

"I hope if it is successful it continues for the rest of the month and can become permanent during the summer months."

Councillor Mennell said there were some concerns about residents who normally parked along Commercial Street, who would have to find alternative space while the market went along one side of the road.

But Mr Mudge said traders should be packed up by about 3pm so that the road would be cleared before children finished school for the day.

liz.todd@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, March 05, 2003