MARKET organisers have switched South Durham towns to escape a council's threat of legal action.

Nobles Promotions has pulled the plug on Sunday markets in Spennymoor, and will move to Bishop Auckland, at the end of the month.

The company was told to stop hosting the markets in part of the Rothman's Business Centre by Sedgefield Borough Council.

The council refused planning permission for the markets last month.

But subsequent events were held and the council has been forced to serve an enforcement notice on the site owners - Industrial Estates Scotland - who have locked the gates to keep Nobles Promotions out.

Andrew Farnie, the borough council's principle development control manager, said: "We have served notice on the land owners, Industrial Estates Scotland.

"The company said if they had known that this was causing problems they would have stopped it. They have put a notice up to say that the car boot sale is now cancelled and they have padlocked the entrance.

"We take breaches of planning control extremely seriously and do take enforcement action when necessary."

The council refused permission on the grounds of road safety, and said the 2,000-plus market visitors often ignored on-site parking and parked on the roadside.

Planning councillors also felt the site should remain available for employment opportunities.

Boss of Peterlee-based Nobles Promotions, John Noble, said relocation to North Bondgate car park, in Bishop Auckland, from February 27,was only temporary.

He said he intends to fight the council's decision and hopes to move back to Spennymoor.

He said: "I've lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning consent. It was ludicrous not to give permission.

"Yes there were some cars parked on the roadside for a short period but it caused no problems. The rest of the site is closed on Sundays. We drove a 40ft container vehicle through to prove that it doesn't affect access.

"We know that the site is a prime employment site but we are offering space for sellers to make a living and attracting lots of people to the unit - we are acting like a letting agency as potential occupants look around the site."