FARMERS are hoping to win over Evesham town councillors next year in a bid to hold their markets more centrally in the town.

Earlier this month councillors refused to allow farmers to relocate their monthly market from outside the former post office in the High Street to Market Place.

Since the farmers' markets started, there has been some controversy over whether stall holders should pay a fee to the Town Council, along similar lines to the regular traders in Market Place.

Evesham's Town Clerk, Frank Green, was asked to find out whether the farmers would be willing to pay a charge if it was levied, but the answer that came back was negative.

Farmers feared that if a charge was levied their markets may cease to become viable because of their less prominent High Street position.

Instead stall holders collectively offered to pay a fee of £150 a year if they were allowed to relocate.

Councillor Ron Cartwright said: "This is totally unfair, especially as they hold them on Fridays - the day before the regular market stall holders."

Coun Mike Worrall said although he was sympathetic to the concept of Farmers Markets it was wrong of them to ask to move to Market Place without being prepared to pay a comparable fee.

The Town Council gets an income of about £5,000 a year from the weekly Market Place stall holders.

Coun Worrall suggested the farmers should pay £1,500 if they wanted to move to Market Place and £150 for where they are now.

However after hearing that the farmers pay £25 each to Stratford-based EG Skett & Company to provide and set up their stalls, councillors agreed to allow the farmers to trade in the High Street at a peppercorn rent and review the situation in 12 months time.

Director Mark Skett said: "I do not understand the attitude of the councillors. Farmers were in a desperate plight after BSE and then foot and mouth, and this was their way of helping bring fresh local produce directly to shoppers, and saving their industry at the same time. We hope that town councillors will have a change of heart."