Opinion is evenly split over a controversial summer-long Friday market that some Holt traders claim will 'devastate' shops.

A North Norfolk News online poll saw more than 300 people vote on whether they supported the planned market at Fish Hill.

Of the 319 people who took part in the poll, 159 (50pc) said 'yes', 152 (48pc) said 'no' and eight (2pc) said 'don't know'.

As reported in last week's News, angry traders are demanding the scrapping of the market, which will run every Friday from July 6 until the end of August.

Shopkeepers in Bull Street and Fish Hill fear lost car parking spaces and added competition from market stalls will harm their businesses.

Hundreds of petition signatures have been gathered against the trial scheme. But Holt Town Council has decided to press on.

The council said businesses had been given the chance to put forward their views about the proposal - part of a �30,000 vision for Holt's future.

A council spokesman added that it was a trail scheme, and that 50 free temporary spaces were being provided at Gresham's Pre-prep School car park during market times.