699 YEARS of market charter history have not stopped Bradford Council scuppering plans for a market on Keighley's streets.

After Bradford Council's decision to charge the market traders for a French market £2,000 on Low Street, the market will now be held on private land at Cavendish Court.

Keighley Town Council is holding three days of activities to celebrate St George's Day from April 23 to 25.

As well as the market, events will include street entertainment, a civic reception and the traditional Scouts parade.

And proceeds from the charity event will go to the town mayor's appeal, Keighley Carers, and the twinning project with Manzini, Swaziland.

Cllr Brian Hudson, who is organising the event, was glad a line could be drawn under the arguments.

"A number of local firms are bending over backwards to make it happen," he said.

"All we have had from this side is positive. A totally different attitude from Bradford."

Susan Stebbings, manager of Cavendish Court, said: "Our stall holders will be alongside the market but the car boot won't be on that week."

Mrs Stebbings said the market would help bring in trade, promote a healthy rivalry and provide a bit of fun.

The French market - March de France - comes from Limoges, Normandy, to different towns in Britain each weekend.

They will have 26 stalls set up in the Cavendish Court car park.

Marjorie Vincent, marketing manager for March de France, did not expect the market would "make such a fuss".

She said: "Usually we come to a town to liven up the town. We don't expect to pay anything.

"Our traders have accommodation and diesel to pay for and they don't even know whether they would make any money when they come here.

"So we have been very surprised. I think Bradford Council thought we were a big market but we are a small team of traders who tour England and Wales.

"For a while I thought we would not be coming.

"At the end of the day we are here to take part in a charity event, for people to come into the town and enjoy themselves. We are not market traders.

"We hope to bring people into the town for a nice weekend. People there would usually benefit from us."

Cllr Hudson added if the market was a success, the council could hold more in the future, including possible farmer's markets.

And the event will help to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Entente Cordiale, with a civic reception.

He said: "Because they are French we thought it would be nice to have a little bit of a thank you.

"We are all in Europe. We get the naive attitude that we don't want anything to do with France.

"But unless we build bridges this thing won't go away."