TRADERS are threatening to leave Darlington's covered market after the go-ahead was given to make a rival market a permanent fixture in the town.

The Darlington Retail Market Stallholders' Association has been concerned about the effect farmers' markets will have on members.

The markets started on a trial basis last year, but it has been decided to hold them on a permanent basis.

This has angered traders in the covered market, who have already warned that it will cease to exist unless more money is spent on it.

And along with the added competition the farmers' market brings, it has led some traders to threaten an exodus from the covered market.

Charles Smith, chairman of the Darlington Retail Market Stallholders' Association, says they were not consulted about the farmers' market.

"We are incensed because we are still in negotiations with the council over signing new five year leases. This is another nail in the coffin for traders in the covered market and we think it is underhand of the council not to consult our members," he said.

The leases of all traders in the market have come up for renewal but one of the main stumbling blocks is that the traders want to be able to give six months' notice to leave the market.

However, the council wants the traders to stay for two years before the six-month notice would come into effect.

Mr Smith said: "If the farmers' market is being made a permanent fixture, we are not going to agree to the leases and will simply walk away.

"We will also sue the council for compensation because we have spent thousands of pounds on solicitors and carrying out surveys in regard to the new leases."

Darlington Borough Council denies that it failed to consult the traders in the covered market.

A spokesman said: "We did consult with traders in the covered market and carried out a survey of everybody directly affected by the farmers' market.

"Ninety-three per cent of those questioned said it would be good for Darlington town centre. Forty-three per cent said their trade had increased because of the farmers' market and not one said it had adversely affected their trade.