WRITERS from the Guardian newspaper have focused their critical eye on the life in Malton and Norton this week.

In an article written for the magazine section of the ‘Let’s Move To…’ section they hailed the “authenticity” of the “no-nonsense, no-messing, honest-to-goodness” North Yorkshire towns.

Tom Dyckhoff from the national publication praised the “fully functioning cattle market, pretty bricky houses” and “pubs which smell of leather”.

Although the only drawback was “the quiet life” but property prices were still reasonable, according the property writer.

Local resident Stewart Frank was quoted in the piece and highlighted Malton’s links with Charles Dickens, low crime rates but warned “just don’t mention parking”.

He said: “The piece was generally positive but it did show the towns as a fairly quaint backwater. But it can only do the towns good to spread the word because we all know what great towns Malton and Norton are to live in.”

Estate agents across the country are feeling the effects of a cut in mortgage lending and a downturn in the property market. Malton estate agent Andrew McBeath said locally they were expecting the situation to pick up within the next year.

He said the article showed the features which would always make the area a desirable place to buy a new home.

“It’s encouraging that somebody from out of Ryedale can perceive the towns for what they are; not overtly quaint but still an appealing place to live,” he said.

“We sometime forget this and it’s nice to be reminded by somebody with an impartial view.”