AN art gallery and museum area will be built at Skipton Town Hall despite the council being told that some flea market holders could lose their business.

Under the proposal half of the annexe - currently used for markets - will be partitioned off by a dismountable wall and will house an exhibition gallery which will include the Roebuck art collection.

A new reception area for Craven Museum and the exhibition will be created in the lobby at the foot of the existing museum stairs.

Craven District Council originally approved the £34,200 proposal in January, but following widespread public interest and debate in a full council meeting it was decided that the matter should be brought back to the community services committee.

At a meeting on Wednesday supporters and opponents of the town hall plans came together to hear the council reflect on its earlier decision.

Co-ordinator for the flea markets Kevin Townson said if the annexe was halved it would result in the number of markets being reduced by a third.

He said: "You will be condemning approximately 30 people to a 30 per cent reduction in their livelihood.

"Worse than that it will put many of them out of business - people who are in their 50s and 60s."

Mr Townson also said that the exhibition would mean charities would lose out on using the hall for vital fundraising opportunities.

However Andrew Mackay, the council's cultural services manager, explained in a report to the meeting that the plans were not a threat to local businesses and charities as it left one-and-a-half halls still available for hire.

"The proposal will increase museum education space by 54 per cent. This means that in addition to providing more space for visiting school groups, the museum will be able to run more events, activity days, workshops and courses," he added.

Support for the proposals was received from members of the local art community.

Brian Kershaw from Craven Art Club said the flea markets could exist side by side.

"It would be of great value to our school children, the young people, the future of our community to raise their minds above alcohol, television, computer games and violence," he added.