YORK city centre's battle against out-of-town competition takes a new twist tomorrow when a car boot sale is staged - at York Market.

Booters will be able to park up and start peddling their unwanted household goods on the cobbled area between the rear of the Parliament Street shops and the market stalls.

The city centre's first such boot sale is being organised by market managers in an attempt to boost business on the usually quiet Sunday mornings - at a time when thousands normally flock to boot sales outside the city.

Deputy market manager Darren Lovatt says that if extra customers turn up, they may also shop at the market itself and at city centre shops.

"We are doing it for a trial period of four weeks to see how it goes," he said.

About nine or ten cars could park on the allotted area but an extra area could be opened up in Silver Street if needed.

If the venture really takes off, booters might eventually be able to sell goods from empty stalls at the far end of the market as well.

Mr Lovatt said the decision to go ahead with the boot sales had been taken by the market office, and not City of York Council itself.

"We have got overall responsibility to run it how we see fit. We want to bring people into the city centre."

Ken Roberts, organiser of car boot sales at Home Farm in Wigginton, which attracts up to 200 stalls, said he was not bothered about the new competition from York Market.

He said: "It really makes no difference to us. York Market can do what it likes."

Organisers of the regular car boot sales in Rufforth refused to comment.

People wishing to book a pitch at York Market, at £10 per car, should call Mr Lovatt in advance on 0788 7754455.

Updated: 10:59 Saturday, June 30, 2001