Concerned councillors are hoping to meet a town's market operators to discuss the way it is run.

The former family-run market in Walton was taken over by Town and Country Markets just over a year ago and was seen as a shot in the arm to the town's economy.

But now Frinton and Walton Town Council wants to know how more stalls are to be attracted.

Stallholders say the market is vital for the town and to continue to attract shoppers and visitors.

And with ambitious plans to create a market square to mark the millennium, it is even more important.

Town and Country Markets had promised a community market when it took the market over.

The news of the proposed meeting has been welcomed by councillors in Walton.

Jan King, one of the town's representatives on Frinton and Walton Town Council, said yesterday: " I am glad to hear it."

She hoped the talks would result in the market being returned to "the way things were" and stressed the council wanted it to succeed.

Walton's economy has seen as a downturn recently. The most recent blow was the withdrawal of the resort's last High Street bank, Barclays.

A spokesman for Town and Country Markets has been unavailable for comment.

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