Selby was today given the Christmas present it had been hoping for when it was revealed that work would start on the town's bypass by 2001 at the latest.

The early start date - revealed during a top-level meeting between Roads Minister Lord Larry Whitty and Selby MP John Grogan - is a massive boost for the traffic-choked town.

It was feared that Selby could have as long as 10 years to wait before the new road was up and running after the Government announced in July that it was one of 37 schemes which "could be started within seven years".

But after the Whitehall meeting with Lord Whitty, a delighted Mr Grogan emerged to say he was "totally confident" that work would start on the £40 million bypass in the financial year 2000-2001 or at the latest 2001-2002.

Mr Grogan said there would be a Government announcement about all 37 new road schemes within weeks - and Selby would be near the head of the queue.

He said: "This is the Christmas present that everyone in Selby has been looking for.

"The announcement is imminent, possibly before parliament's Christmas recess.

"To begin the new Millennium with this project is marvellous news and very important for the people of Selby.

"It will be vital in attracting new investment to the town and in protecting existing jobs."

District and town councillor Rachel Cunliffe said: "The seven-year time-span was a bit of a disappointment, so this news is a huge relief.

"Securing an early start date was almost as important as getting the go-ahead. The number of lorries thundering through Selby is increasing all the time, and they're choking the economy as well as residents."

District council leader Geoff Lynch said: "I'm delighted it's going to happen so soon. Securing an early start date was absolutely crucial after a campaign that started in 1926."

Mr Grogan said the six-mile relief road would herald the dawn of a new era for Selby, but they had to ensure it did not become a double-edged sword.

He said: "Some towns die when they get a bypass, and we have to make sure the town's tourist and retail attractions are marketed on a higher level.

"We also have to exploit the industrial space that will be opened up. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which we have to capitalise on."

Mr Grogan will make a keynote speech on the town's future once the bypass is built when he addresses Selby College's presentation evening in Selby Abbey on December 18.

He will propose a new partnership between district and town councils, the college, chamber of trade and voluntary organisations to promote Selby.

Mr Grogan added: "Selby has not been ambitious enough. We have accepted second-best for far too long.

"I'm determined that all the town's major players will put any differences aside and roll up their sleeves to work for the good of Selby."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.