MORECAMBE'S Festival Market traders have met with council bosses to negotiate over the best way to run the market next year.

The meeting at the Platform was to discuss the future of the market following last year's row caused by the punk festival and the "eight day clause," which says the Festival Hall can be used for special events.

Chaired by Cllr Tricia Heath, there was overwhelming support for removing the clause, but a split in views over opening the market up for an extra day during the summer season. One trader left the meeting when his request for rent free trading was turned down as "unlikely."

"I am totally in favour of the removal of the eight day clause" said Cllr Tricia Heath, "but it is unlikely it will get the support of council without some offer of extra trading days from the market. Removing the clause was tried last year without success, and the feedback I got was that people did not want to see the market closed and 'in wraps' for half the week. A trial period of opening an extra day of your choice during the summer would give us all a chance of seeing if it was successful."

A questionnaire will be sent out to all traders on the market from the council explaining the background and the possibilities for the future. It is essential that the council have the views of all traders and not just a vociferous few.

The questionnaire will be private and confidential to alleviate the worries of some traders who feel they may be intimidated.

"We want the market to be even more successful than it is now," said Cllr Heath, "and I will be taking up issues regarding short stay car parking and coach stops immediately".