A MASSIVE increase in trading fees could prove the last straw for dozens of WI country markets throughout the region.

For years, Women's Institute food markets have paid an annual fee of £25 to gain statutory legal protection offered by friendly societies.

In December, the situation changed when the Financial Services Authority took over the registration responsibility under the Financial Services and Markets Act.

Three weeks ago, regional WI officers were told that the fees for each county group had soared by more than 1,100pc to £280.

Adding insult to injury is the change of the year end from December to April, leaving an extra £60 to find to cover backdated fees.

Heather Parkin, voluntary WI country markets adviser for County Durham, claimed many of the smaller markets would simply fold.

She told the D&S Times: "The news has come as a sickening blow to us all.

"Many markets struggled to stay afloat during the foot-and-mouth crisis and are only just getting back on track. As an organisation we have only been on our own two feet for two years.

"We expected the fee to go up to £50 but to raise it to £280 is a tremendous blow. On top, the year-end change makes this year's fee £340.

"Groups with only one two or three markets will have no option but to shut down because they will be unable to fund the increase between them."

County Durham and North Yorkshire are two successful regions holding five markets each with four operating on a weekly basis.

However, their future hangs in the balance.

"Darlington is our best attended market, followed by Barnard Castle," added Mrs Parkin, "but Durham, Sedgefield and Lanchester are only small.

"Darlington market already pays the highest rent in the county and although they hold their own, I doubt they would be able to foot the whole £280.

"Barnard Castle market is struggling in the wake of foot-and-mouth and this could end them too."

In North Yorkshire, where markets take place in Northallerton, Easingwold, Stokesley, Pickering and Selby, the picture is much the same.

Judy Binns, WI Markets national co-ordinator for special projects, said North Yorkshire organisers had only budgeted for an increase of up to £100.

She said: "We are a non-profit making organisation and yet we are expected to pay the same fee as building societies and financial institutions. It's simply not fair."

A lobbying campaign has begun across the country to draw the plight of the markets to the Government's attention.

"Tony Blair has already crossed the WI once," said Mrs Parkin, "I doubt he will want to do it again."

The national WI annual meeting in Loughborough next week is expected to discuss future action which could include demonstrations and protests