REDDITCH'S market traders are still in the dark about the future of the controversial new trading licence this week - although they went to the council meeting where it was due to be discussed.

For councillors decided legal matters meant the agreement - now sent back to the council after all - could not be discussed in public.

The council made the decision to lock out press and public in spite of objections from councillor Paul Dyson who said a lot of good will between traders and council would be put at risk by a secret session.

Market traders had refused to sign the licence agreement because they said it put their livelihoods at risk.

One day's absence due to holidays or illness could make them "casual" traders without the right to a regular stall.

Market traders were privately angry about the decision to discuss the new agreement in committee session. But Mr Linley said he didn't want to comment on the exclusion.