IT WAS a model opening for a North Yorkshire town's revamped car park, appropriately orchestrated by an icon from the era when the building was originally put up.

There was relief also for car users in Harrogate, when the new Oxford Street car park was opened, on time, on budget and in time for Bonfire Night - as well as Christmas.

The park, which has 450 spaces on five levels, CCTV and 24-hour toilets, and has been sorely missed by people wanting to find a space during its revamp, has also got a new name - it will be known as the "Jubilee multi-storey car park".

The opening event yesterday was attended by a Twiggy lookalike, symbolising the 1960s origins of the formerly crumbling concrete car park, which closed on January 21 for its £4 million overhaul.

Coun Michael Newby, cabinet member for public works on Harrogate Borough Council, said: "We did tell local businesses that we would do everything possible to reduce the impact on their trade by promising that the new car park would be built within nine months - you can see by the dates that we have lived up to that promise."

He thanked all those involved in the project, and said that to recognise the patience of businesses and the general public the new park would be free of charges for its first week after opening.

Updated: 11:38 Wednesday, November 06, 2002