PICKERING Civic Society members have called for action to rid the town of its worst eyesore, the former coalyard, and for the future of the area to be resolved.

Former town councillor Peter Gorrill said there was growing concern about the site and about a boarded-up house at the junction of Eastgate and Vivis Lane because of the uncertainty of Safeway's plans to build a new store nearby.

A meeting of the society heard that the supermarket giant - currently the subject of a big national takeover - should reveal its plans for the future of the existing Pickering store and for the coalyard site on which it has an option.

Members said major improvements were also needed to the busy road junctions, possibly by building a roundabout.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, May 19, 2003