NEW jobs could be brought to an area of York if plans for a late-night pharmacy get the thumbs up.

At a meeting of Haxby Town Council, members were given notice of an application by Haxby Group Practice for a pharmacy in the health centre.

If the application gets the green light, the proposed pharmacy would be open from 7.30am until 10.30pm every day, except Sundays, when its opening hours would be between 9am and 7pm.

It would need four pharmacists to man the 100-hours-per week cover and also a number of other staff, which the company has promised to recruit locally.

The committee said a late-night pharmacy could have ramifications for the two Boots chemists in the area, but welcomed the proposals, saying they would benefit the community and its residents.

Councillors also discussed the possibility of Haxby, together with the neighbouring village of Wigginton, becoming an alcohol exclusion zone.

It would mean anyone caught on the streets with alcohol could have their drink taken off them by police, irrespective of their age.

Councillors said despite plummeting crime levels, antisocial behaviour still caused concern, but could be curbed by an alcohol ban.

At the meeting, councillors also hailed the success of the Haxby Town Carnival, held on Saturday, which saw local residents gathering in The Village to see a procession led by the carnival queen, followed by a “Haxby’s Got Talent” competition, which saw budding singers and dancers show their skills.

A fun fair, go-karts, fancy dress competition and a variety of stalls also drew in the crowds.

Committee members agreed it was a resounding success. Council chairman Ian Hogg said: “This means we have to do even bigger and better next year.”