Organisers of Skipton's Christmas festivities say they have been let down at the last minute over a parking site for visiting coaches.

In previous years the dozens of coach firms flocking to the Medieval Markets events have been able to park for free at Skipton's Auction Mart.

But this year Craven Cattle Marts Ltd has decided to charge a fee of £11.75 on the Medieval Market dates of December 6 and 13.

This is common practice in other towns.

But Skipton Chamber of Trade claims news of the charge came far too late, after promises of free parking had gone out to tour operators nationwide.

Secretary Robin Moule says the chamber is "actively seeking alternative coach parking" for the 90-plus buses expected this year.

He said while the Chamber had been considering a charge for next year the coach companies had already budgeted for the markets trips and it was too late to ask them to pay a charge this year.

Paddy Wrightson, general manager of the Auction Mart, said: "The coach people pay wherever else they go and we see no reason why we should not levy a charge."

l The storm which devastated Skipton last Christmas Eve has forced the Chamber to scale back its plans for improving the town's Christmas lights due to the amount of damage. But vice-president Ann Marshall said the spectacle will be just as good as last year.

l Next Saturday the Craven Art's annual lantern-making workshop will be held at St Andrew's Church Hall, Newmarket Street, Skipton, between 10am and 3.30pm. All ages welcome but under nines must be accompanied. There is a charge of £1 for each lantern, and the latest time to arrive is 1pm.

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