Stallholders have called for town centre bosses to scrap a controversial idea to move Shipley's outdoor market.

But its consultation process - launched in September - will be completed before a decision is taken on whether to press forward.

If the £100,000 scheme did go ahead, the permanent covered stalls would be scrapped in favour of a linear market running along the edge of Market Square's pedestrianised area.

Stallholders say the new set-up would attract less customers and would result in the market's 'family atmosphere' being lost.

Kathryn Fisher, of the Shipley Market Action Campaign, said: "We're 100 per cent against the idea and have collected almost 2,000 signatures from customers for a petition opposing it.

"Time and money are being wasted and we just want them to now say enough's enough and kill the scheme stone dead - how much opposition do they need to prove it's a bad idea?''

Partnership chairman Councillor John Carroll (Con, Shipley West) said: "We said right from the start that this would be going through the autumn round of Neighbourhood Forums and if we just accepted the views of the market traders nobody at the forums would have a chance to have their say.

"We're asking people to complete the questionnaires being given out at the forums and there'll also be a display in Market Square on November 18 when we'll be putting forward the other side of the coin.''

He added: "But we are going to complete the consultation process before it's taken back to the partnership, probably in December.''

Labour councillor Phil Thornton, whose Shipley East ward includes the market, said: "There's a strong argument for keeping the market where it is and I wouldn't like to see the trees and garden area go. I don't think dropping it is the answer - maybe there should be a re-think because I'm sure there is support for spending money to make the market more attractive.''