MALTON Town Council is calling for a meeting to help resolve the "black hole" surrounding plans for a supermarket on Wentworth Street car park.

Councillors are to invite Ryedale District Council's chief executive Janet Waggott and leader, Councillor Linda Cowling to help resolve the situation after a judicial review quashed the authority's decision to grant permission for a store and petrol filling station on the site.

Town clerk Mike Skehan said: "The town council should now tell Ryedale that we are willing to help it to get out of this black hole."

The issue is expected to be raised with Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake when he attends next month's town council meeting to discuss local issues.

Ms Waggott and Coun Cowling will be asked to attend the September meeting of the council to discuss the way forward.

Councillor Martin Dales said it was Malton and Ryedale taxpayers who were having to find the costs and other expenses of the legal hearings and decisions, which it has been estimated could cost the council between £300,000 and £400,000, depending on the assessment yet to be made.

Town and district Councillor Paul Andrews, one of the leading campaigners against the plans, said: "It would make a good joke for the Carry On film series if only it wasn't so serious for Malton and involve the waste of such a colossal amount of public money. Everybody has been prepared to talk to Ryedale District Council, but they have refused."