Customers are fighting to save their favourite city-centre coffee shop from closing.

The Merrie England, sited next to the ruins of the former Rawson Market, has appealed to Bradford Council for a rent reduction.

The owners claim they should pay less because of the effect the market's temporary relocation has had on trade.

And loyal customers have organised a petition, which has been signed by 300 people in just two days, and plan to enlist the support of their MPs.

Elizabeth Ellwood, 49, of Medway, Queensbury, said: "It is a fantastic meeting place and we want to save it.

"We think Bradford is dying because of the levels of rent and rates, and something must be done."

The refurbishment of the original market site was postponed when the Council discovered it had no money to pay for the work. Then the sale of the authority's Vicar Lane car park to a prospective leisure developer fell through.

Trade has slumped for market traders who were moved to a temporary site in Rawson Place.

The Council has waived their rent for more than a year because of the effect on business.

Now owners of the coffee shop, which has been in the city for about 12 years, say it will close on March 30, unless they can negotiate an acceptable rent deal.

Keith Hansleman, a director of Merrie England Coffee Shops, said: "We are in negotiations with the Council and we're trying to get them to reduce the rent.

"We would like to stay, but we have to face realities.

"The rates are also based on rental value, so it affects us both ways. Our rents are still based on what we paid five years ago, but things have changed because of Rawson Market."

Customer Dorothy Adamson, who is aged in her 80s, said she travelled from Halifax to the Merrie England because she loved the coffee and company so much.

Christine and Brian Hoyle, of Stonehall Road, Eccleshill, said the city was becoming a ghost town and it would be a tragedy for the coffee shop to close.

And Ann Delaney, 52, and 48-year-old Kathy Dinsdale, 48, who both live in Lidget Green, said people would be devastated if they lost the Merrie England.

Mrs Delaney said: "We would be really upset.

"There's no other place - or coffee - like it."

Steve Seymour, acting manager of the Kirkgate shopping centre, said he wanted to see more businesses like the Merrie England which attracted visitors to the city.

He said: "I hope the Council can help."

The Council's executive member for the economy, Councillor Simon Cooke, said council officers would talk to the company to see what could be done.