Anxious traders are launching a campaign to secure their livelihoods amid fears that Shipley's indoor market could be shut.

Officials at the Shipley Indoor Market branch of the National Market Traders Federation say though Bradford Council's lease agreement with the building's owner - London and Associated - expires in only two years' time, they have heard nothing about its long-term future.

Branch chairman and sweet stall boss David Burke said uncertainty about the market's future had left a bitter taste in traders' mouths.

A campaign, including a petition, is now being launched in a bid to get answers and drum up support for the traders' fight to keep the market open or win adequate compensation.

He said: "We believe we're being kept in the dark about the Council's intentions but it is our livelihoods that are at risk here - we're talking about 18 stallholders, 40 odd jobs and businesses operating six days a week.

"Several of our colleagues who had been hoping to retire cannot now do so due to the uncertainty over the market's future, the problem being that their businesses are impossible to sell until the lease problem is sorted out or an alternative site for the market is found.''

Councillor John Carroll (Con, Shipley West), chairman of the Shipley Town Centre Development Partnership, said he sympathised with the traders' frustrations, adding: "It is of concern that the lease is running out and the Council has to decide whether it's going to renew it, seek alternative premises or close the indoor market altogether, which in my view isn't an option.''

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, the Council's executive member for the economy, said: "The Council will be looking at various options relating to the market - a report seeking approval to carry out a thorough options appraisal is due to go to the executive committee in the autumn.

"We'll be working closely with market traders to keep them fully informed on this matter.''