Town leaders in Ryedale have criticised high street banks for refusing to install extra cash machines.

The reaction from four banks has renewed claims that Norton is being treated as the poorer twin of Malton.

Despite there being about 50 per cent more residents in Norton than in Malton, the town has only two 12-hour cash machines.

Malton has nine machines which are in operation at all times, which has sparked anger among town leaders in Norton.

The issue came to a head during the flooding when Norton residents were cut off from Malton and unable to use the cash machines there after dark.

The town council wrote to four major banks pointing out their concerns, but two which have replied say that they consider facilities to be adequate.

Two machines were currently operating in Norton, said town clerk Roger King, one at Costcutters, in Commercial Street, and another at Kwik Save, both of which were closed to the public when the stores closed at night.

Coun Allin Jenkins said residents in Norton were being treated unfairly.

"How are people from Norton supposed to get to Malton when there are floods? This cannot be right," he said.

Coun Howard Griffiths said the Government was now concentrating on rural issues and improving facilities for people living in the countryside.

"Surely this must include improving access to facilities people should be able to take for granted such as banks," he added.