SHOPS in Malton and Norton plan to open seven days a week at Christmas to shake off the gloom cast by the foot and mouth crisis and last year's flooding disaster.

Late-night opening is also on the cards - with free parking for shoppers.

It is the first time that official seven-day opening has been planned in the build-up to Christmas.

Periods of free parking in the morning and late afternoon are being negotiated with Ryedale District Council.

Ryedale Tourist Association chairman Steve Jaques said: "This area's ready for a break, and hopefully everyone in trading will have a good run over Christmas."

Norton mayor Keith Mennell said the towns deserved a break because "it's just been one thing after another".

"I think everybody should do their best to boost the two towns," he said.

Malton mayor Jane Wilford said Christmas in the towns was always "a special time".

"It's so good to see everyone pulling together for this," she said.

Town centre manager Mick Gains said bigger stores had traded every day in the run-up to Christmas in previous years, but smaller traders had struggled to find the resources and staff.

"The Christmas period is an ideal opportunity to trial seven-day opening, especially since we have a co-ordinated marketing effort this year to promote the town and provide street activities and entertainment.

"I would like to see the towns open for business on each of the first 24 days of December," he said.

Denys Townsend, chairman of Malton and Norton Chamber of Trade, said: "Last year plans were a little ad hoc, but this year we have a co-ordinated programme.

"It's down to publicity and entertainment and giving people a bit of fun when they come."

Updated: 11:08 Tuesday, September 25, 2001