THE firm behind plans to build a potash mine in North Yorkshire says a further lengthy delay caused by planning concerns will not damage its viability.

The Press reported on Monday that it will now be May at the earliest before any approvals are given by the North York Moors National Park Authority for Sirius Minerals' billion pound second application for the York Potash project at Sneaton, near Whitby.

The authority is considering the application for the mine, which will unearth potash to be distributed as a plant fertiliser, with the creation of 1,000 direct jobs.

The firm's managing director Chris Fraser has now said he remains confident about the project, saying: "We are continuing to make great progress in allocating our expected production from the York Potash Project ."

He said it was particularly exciting to land its first deal in the animal feed supplement market, which confirmed its new market opportunities.