A FORMER market traders' leader has accused a local authority of trying to pressurise opponents into remaining silent.

The claim comes after a council-produced newsletter suggested that Alan Gatenby had hindered progress on market issues by taking a confrontational approach.

Mr Gatenby, who stepped down as chairman of the Hambleton branch of the National Market Traders' Federation after quitting Northallerton market through ill health last year, said he was deeply disappointed by the attack.

He said comments by Hambleton District Council's environmental health chairman Percy Featherstone in the Hambleton Marketeer newsletter, distributed to traders, were an attempt to try to silence opposition.

Mr Featherstone wrote: "Mr Gatenby felt strongly about market issues but at times his style and manner acted as a barrier to effective co-operation."

He wrote that Mr Gatenby's decision to retire opened a new chapter in the management of the district's markets.

Mr Featherstone said: "I am optimistic that this heralds a much more fruitful partnership for future years and I can reassure you that the council will listen to the traders in all matters relating to the markets."

But Mr Gatenby said the comments could be seen as scare tactics - to persuade traders not to rock the boat.

He said: "When I first started working on the markets the council didn't take any notice of us. Eventually they started to listen to us and we managed to get some things changed.

"But this is a warning to other traders, telling them to shut up. I'm very disappointed but I'm not going to stand back while they say things they didn't have the courage to say to my face."

But Hambleton community services manager Steve Metcalfe denied the newsletter was attempting to pressure market traders.

He said: "It would not have been published if we hadn't felt it was fair comment. I would support what was put in the newsletter.

"We're hoping that we can now co-operate with each other to everybody's benefit."

Paul Winn, the new federation branch chairman, said he did not see the comments as a warning to traders to behave.

He said: "Alan did a lot for the market traders and I have the utmost respect for him but we have different methods of working."