TRADERS and customers at Malvern's Friday market have accused the district council of trying to kill it off by imposing new parking restrictions.

Previously, cars could be driven through the stalls to park on the other side of the Council House car park.

Last Friday, stallholders were shocked when cones were placed at the market entrance and they were told the car park would now be closed for health and safety reasons.

Jason Hartshorne, who runs a fruit and vegetable stall, is concerned elderly customers will not bother to visit the market now they cannot park.

"Quite a lot of our customers are elderly and they come in, buy their fruit and veg and we carry the stuff to the car for them," he said. "There are 20 car parking spaces not being used, it just doesn't make sense."

Mr Hartshorne is also concerned the closure will cause an accident. Several cars parked illegally at the entrance to the market on Friday and their drivers then reversed onto the road.

"We're only a small market but we do provide a service. People do come here every week," he said. "At the end of the day, this is going to kill the market."

Emma Peters, who has run a plant stall for just six weeks, was also concerned.

When traders suggested moving the market to the bottom of the car park, so cars could park in front of it, they were told the space was needed for Register Office visitors, who are allowed to drive through.

Customer Fiona Hopes, who has shopped at the market for 13 years, described the car park closure as "seriously inconvenient".

"It will reduce yet again the viability of the market," she said.

Regular customer David Etheridge agreed.

"It makes you wonder who stands to gain from this," he said. "If the market closes, you get parking spaces for something else. It seems like the council have been trying to kill this off for many years."

In its heyday, the market had more than 20 stalls and was based on the car park where Waitrose now stands. Stall numbers have now dwindled to four or five.

Town centre manager Anthony Collis said: "We've actually supported the market in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Our overiding concern must be with safey to all persons at all times.

"We're looking to remove the vehicles, not the market, to make it safer for people."

Only bridal cars will be allowed to drive through the stalls at designated times.