Market traders are up in arms over plans to hand control of their pitches to Otley Town Council.

And they say they are being left in the dark over suggestions to use the Market Place for entertainment, car boot sales and specialist markets during the four days they are trading elsewhere.

Despite assurances from ward councillors that public consultation will take place before any changes are made, many of the 100-plus stallholders claim they were not told of moves to give greater power to the council.

Barry Doherty, a trader on Kirkgate for more than 20 years, said: "A lot of us have been here a long time - into second and third generations - and there's been not one iota as to what is happening. It could have all gone through the process and we wouldn't have known about it. We want to see some consultation - there are people out there with different opinions who can have some input."

The town council, working with Otley Town Partnership, is keen to be more involved in what goes on in the Market Place seven days a week.

Leeds City Council - which currently runs the market - has given the green light to talks about its future, although it will retain an element of control. Town leaders hope, however, the balance of power will have swung towards Otley by the end of the year.

And that could herald a new look for the Market Place which could become a central area for exhibitions, performances, music or specialist markets.

Councillor Phil Coyne, who is also chairman of the town partnership, says he is keen to see it exploited to its full potential - even as a site for Sunday morning car boot sales.

But traders remain unconvinced. Colin Soulsby, whose clothing stall has been part of Otley market for 22 years, said: "A car boot sale is just not feasible and something like that would only further run down Otley and its standing - it's already renowned as a second-hand town."

Neville Hobson said it had worked well at Wetherby, where councillors and market traders were working together.

A stallholder in Otley for seven years, Mr Hobson said he would like more contact with the town council. "They do need to listen to us because Otley's a smashing market and it should remain that way.

"It's a very important part of the town for everybody and it needs a bit of priority. It musn't be taken lightly - let's have a good look at it and make it as good as possible," he said.

One way of doing that was by scrapping a Tuesday market entirely, according to market trader and independent town councillor Nigel Francis.

He said a poor turnout of businesses at the start of the week gave a bad impression to visitors.

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