THE developer looking to put a supermarket on Malton's Wentworth Street had its contract renewed last night.

GMI Holbeck got the green light to continue from Ryedale District Council - but only by one vote.

Councillors Lindsay Burr and Paul Andrews proposed an amendment not to renew the deal, but this failed by 12 votes to 11, with three abstentions.

Then a vote to continue GMI Holbeck's contract was carried by the same margin.

Cllr Andrews said: "Malton businesses want to see an end to the supermarket saga. They want to see the council in support of plans that will improve the town centre."

However, cllr Linda Cowling said: "If we terminate this contract, we'll be saying that we are no longer the decision makers for the district."