COUNCILLORS want to find a way of continuing Morecambe's successful punk festival without forcing the Festival Market traders to shut up shop.

Members of the city council's cabinet will meet with traders who oppose giving up their stalls in a bid to find a way of running the festival alongside the market.

The possible future use of the Winter Gardens is one idea, and the council has pledged not to allow the organisers of the festival to back them into a corner.

Traders reacted angrily after learning that council officers had recommended handing over the market for next year's event.

They handed over a petition with more than 7,000 signatures demanding that the market stay open.

Traders met last Thursday to express their concerns over losing money during their busiest time of the year while being expected to open during the quiet winter months.

They have also been balloted on the possibility of opening an extra day in the Summer in return for an agreement to avoid being removed from the hall.

Council leader Cllr Tricia Heath told the meeting: "We support the punk festival in principle but we cannot say categorically that they can use the festival market. We need to sort out the venue.

"The obvious solution to the problem is to open up the Winter Gardens, but I cannot see how we can get that open for next summer."

Green Cllr Gina Dowding said: "Even though it was a popular event the punk festival cost us money, and that was the 25th anniversary -- can we be sure that it will be as successful again? I'm not convinced that it has contributed to the regeneration of Morecambe.

"We must go in to the meetings with an open mind. Around 200 people's jobs depend on the Festival Market and there is no doubt that a thriving market is contributing to the regeneration of Morecambe."

The council's director of regeneration, John Donnellon, said he was anxious to see the discussions concluded quickly to avoid the possibility of festival organisers, who have offered a three year deal to stay in Morecambe, moving to another resort.

Colin Gibson, chairman of the market traders, said he was pleased that some progress had been made.

The Festival Market's rules are to be reviewed by the council after the recent expulsion and reinstatement of trader Iain Dobson.

The internal affairs review board has been asked to consider the rules, particularly regarding traders' rights, conduct and complaints, as well as the need for a complaints procedure. The issue will be discussed at a meeting next Tuesday, starting at 2pm at Lancaster town hall.