WITNEY farmers' market is to move to the Market Square in a bid to revive its fortunes.

The market, which is held on the third Thursday of the month at Church Green, has been losing business and stallholders hope the move will see business pick up.

West Oxfordshire district councillors agreed to the move in principle and decided it would be reviewed after six months and then again in a year.

The market, which is run by the Thames Valley Farmers' Market Co-operative, will probably make the move next spring.

It will be held on a Wednesday to avoid a clash with the twice-weekly Charter market.

However, some Charter market traders fear the move could affect their trade.

Egg producer Nick Potter, of Lees Rest Farm, Charlbury, who has a stall at the farmers' market, said: "Witney was our flagship farmers' market for the district until 18 months ago.

"For reasons we don't know, it became our worst for turnover and footfall.

"It's known that very few people will walk more than 400 yards from where they park to do their shopping. Closure of the council offices at Church Green could also be a factor.

"We feel we're in the wrong place - a market should be in a market place.

"We don't want to cause any aggravation with the Charter market. I'm sure it will not affect the Charter market."

Speaking at the council meeting, member Hilary Hibbert-Biles said: "I'm distressed to hear they're not doing as well as they did. If they think it will rejuvenate the market, they should be given the opportunity to move. We should encourage enterprise in the local community."

However, Martin Eldridge, a confectionery stallholder at the Charter market, said: "It's absolutely the last thing we need. It will affect trade without a doubt. It shouldn't be allowed."

Fishmonger Phil Chilton said: "I think it should be on the same day as our market, not on a rival day. People are only going to come into town one day a week.

"I don't think it will affect my business. It's too well established."

Greengrocer Darren Smith added: "I don't like it. Market traders and farmers are completely different and should have different places."