STALLHOLDERS are petitioning against moves to scrap or change Braintree market.

More than 1,000 traders and shoppers have signed a petition aiming to keep Braintree market as it is.

It comes after Braintree Council asked the public for ideas to improve the twice-weekly market.

Tara Langston, of Cressing Road in Braintree, a spokesman for the traders, said: “I have gone into a few shops in Bank Street and we have more for us than against us.

“We benefit the town – it’s a market town.

“These proposals might not even happen, but if we don’t do something to start with, to let the council know our feelings, they won’t know how we feel on the matter.”

Mrs Langston, whose stall has been run by her family for 21 years, said traders wanted the market to be extended.

Chris Trim, Braintree Council promotions manager, has assured traders the market is not about to be axed.

He said: “There is no intention to scrap the market.

“For one thing it’s worth too much to the town and to the council.

“Any potential changes would be made carefully and gradually. They would not be forced through.”