A POPULAR farmers market in Broadstone may have to move after nearby traders complained they were losing hundreds of pounds in sales on market days.

The market, held on the third Sunday of the month, features more than 20 stalls, selling everything from fishcakes to eggs.

It was launched just over a year ago with the backing of the Chamber of Trade.

The market is held in the main shopping area on a road known as the Toast Rack, which has 30 minute free parking. But it is suspended on market days.

And now shop owners are complaining the loss of short stay parking on that day is hitting trade - in some cases to the tune of several hundred pounds. At a meeting earlier this month the chamber withdrew its support for the market at its current location - suggesting a nearby private car parks and halls.

But without the backing of the Chamber the market will not be granted a new licence when the current one runs out in January.

Until a new venue can be agreed its future hangs in the balance.

Market manager June Warburton, who has an organic meat stall, said market traders had "no wish to desert Broadstone".

She added: "We are not being asked to leave. We are being asked to find an alternative site.

"Wherever we go we are not going to be as highly visible as we are. We're not very happy about being moved. We feel we do bring people into Broadstone."

Vikki Slade, of Molly's Catering Service and Molly's coffee shop, is chairman of the Chamber of Trade.

She said the organisation had always supported the market, but a number of businesses had complained recently.

"A lot of businesses that have no axe to grind have expressed a big dip in sales. A long established jeweller had a £300 reduction," she said.

"What we want to do is keep the farmers' market, but in a location that doesn't take away the passing trade of shops in Broadstone."