CAMPAIGNERS against plans to move a historic market have handed in a 10,000 signature petition to the council.

Stockton Borough Council wants to move its 700-year-old market to the south of the town hall as part of £20m plans to refurbish the High Street.

The current location would be opened up to create a plaza with a fountain and flower beds.

But traders and shoppers say it will affect business and are fighting the plans.

On Saturday, with the help of Stockton Independents Association, they submitted their petition to council chief executive Neil Schneider and town mayor Colin Leckonby.

Mr Schneider said the council would continue to work with the traders and that any plans would be consulted on before decisions were made.

Paul Leng, of Stockton Independents Association, said: "I am pleased the chief executive stuck to his word and agreed to meet with us.

"Hopefully, he will read some of the comments in the petition and agree to do something about the problem.

"The market traders have all got different concerns. They do fear for the future, because this is their livelihoods.

"We know that doing nothing is not an option, but this is not the answer."

The issue will now go before the full council.

Mr Schneider said: "We always encourage people to give their views and we will naturally take this petition and the views of market traders and others into account.

"As yet, we have simply said refocusing the market south of the town hall would give traders a permanent, dedicated space.

"This would also enable Stockton to host special events, festivals and other markets elsewhere on the High Street without disrupting the regular traders. We will continue to work with the traders in redesigning the market layout and location to improve both the traditional and speciality markets.

"The aim is to benefit the town overall, including shoppers and the market traders themselves, by improving the market environment and bringing more people into Stockton.

"Indeed, there have been some very supportive comments about the need to do this."

To give your views on the town centre proposals, visit stockton.gov.uk/stocktontowncentre