MARKET traders and officials have been accused of getting their "knickers in a twist" over a stall selling posh undies.

Maria Louise Jeys trades as Peggy Louise Quality Lingerie on Clitheroe Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Now she has been told to quit by Ribble Valley Council, because there are too many stalls selling underwear.

But the Ramsbottom woman, who lives in Lumb Carr Avenue, has vowed to fight the move tooth and nail.

She is being supported by customers who are signing a petition.

Maria started trading on Clitheroe Market two years ago, bringing the number of stalls selling underwear to four, but claims there has been a campaign to oust her.

"I first started trading on Thursdays and it was the council that asked me to start trading on Tuesdays, too. Now they have told me that they made a mistake in offering me a contract, and have asked me to hand it back.

"You could cut the atmosphere with a knife some days," she said. Maria, who is to take up her case with the Local Government Ombudsman, added: "I am putting up a fight. It is the council's mistake. Business is booming and I am not going anywhere."

Customer Margaret Blezard, of West View in Clitheroe said: "It's a shame what's happening. It's ridiculous. Maria offers a tremendous service and sells the best knickers in town."

A spokesman for the Ribble Valley Council said he was aware that there had been some friction between traders over the matter.

He added: "This is a complicated situation that has arisen for a number of reasons. Market regulations clearly state that there can be only three traders for any one line. Maria Jeys was given a contract in the mistaken belief that another underwear trader had left.

"There was a backlash from traders after the new contract was issued and having listened to them we decided that the best thing to do was to withdraw it. Maria will be offered a full refund and the opportunity to continue trading on a casual basis, without a permanent contract. She stocks a good line and we will be sorry if she chooses not to," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.