OUTRAGED traders walked out of a council meeting after plans to move their stalls to make way for a £550,000 Christmas market were announced.

Proposals have been revealed for a four-day event in Stockton, from November 27 to 30, featuring continental craft and food stalls, as well as street theatre, at locations across the town centre.

The event, which has been backed by the Castlegate and Wellington Square shopping centres, has funding for the next three years.

Market traders operating from south of the town hall would be temporarily moved to marquees provided by the council near the Swallow Hotel.

Peter Johnson, chairman of the Stockton branch of the National Market Traders' Federation, said traders were angry after the plans were revealed at the market forum meeting at the town hall on Wednesday night.

He said they were considering legal action.

Mr Johnson said: "We are being pushed out to one side to make room for this continental Christmas market.

"Everyone is angry and upset about it, as there has been no consultation.

To be told by the council you will do this' had people up in arms."

Mr Johnson, who runs a perfume and make-up stall, said that more than half of the 40 traders at the meeting had walked out.

He said: "Any trader whose stall is in a position facing Macdonald's or Woolworths has been there many years. Customers will not look for you if you are not there."

Paul Turnbull, a trader who runs a coin stall on Wednesdays and Saturdays, said he was disgusted by how traders had been treated.

He said: "Marquees like garden gazebos will be supplied, but all our stalls are built for our own particular needs.

"We are all self-employed and we will get no compensation during that week."

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for development and regeneration, said: "This is a fantastic major new event, and a first for Stockton.

"It is certainly not one intended to displace current market traders to their detriment.

"Indeed we would hope the market traders would recognise the benefits of increased footfall in the town centre.

"The event was designed to bring in new shoppers, which can only boost business for both market traders and retailers by bringing sights, sounds and smells to create a buzzing atmosphere."