Traders at Oxford's Covered Market have asked council bosses to let them sell on Sunday.

Many major retailers in the city centre now open seven days a week, and market traders now want to follow suit. The Covered Market Traders' Association will hammer out a deal with landlords the city council before the end of the year.

In the weeks running up to Christmas the market, which has entrances off Cornmarket Street, High Street and Market Street, will be open on Sundays, with a view to permanent Sunday trading from early next year.

City council property officer Colin Beever warned: "It's possible that a few traders like the butchers and fishmongers might not want to open seven days a week." He welcomed a report by Oxford Brookes University retail management students who asked shoppers what improvements they recommended at the Grade II listed building. These included improved lighting, better signs from High Street, a map of the market at its entrances and more litter bins.

Mr Beever added: "Some of their recommendations will be taken up, given the availability of finances."

The students' report was considered by councillors at yesterday's employment and economic development committee. City centre manager Marcus Lapthorn said: "In some cities, the second biggest trading day is Sunday."