WORRIED traders are banding together to safeguard the future of Wickford market.

The anxious stallholders have started a petition to save the market after discovering a plan to build the new Wickford medical centre on the spot where they pitch their stalls.

Gill Green, 46, who runs the Corner Cafe, said: "We just want the market to survive."

The market has been setting up behind the High Street for years and, despite reassurances from Basildon District Council that their views will be taken into consideration, the traders say they feel they are being left in the dark.

Gill said: "We've tried to have a meeting with the council, because we need to get our views across, but nothing has happened yet.

"There's talk we could be moved to the High Street, but that wouldn't work for the businesses like mine in a fixed location."

Gill is based in the indoor section of the market and fears they will not be offered similar facilities.

"I don't think there's any chance of us having a purpose-built site somewhere else."

The market, which runs on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, has been at the heart of the town for decades, and has loyal support from people in Wickford who have been signing a petition.

Joy McCarthy, 77, from Ramsden Heath, said: "I come here especially on Saturdays for the fish stall, which is wonderful.

"I've seen it in a couple of locations over the years, and would love to see it somewhere it could thrive."

Rosina Hood, 80, of St Charles Drive, Wickford, said: "I've always used it and think it's a great thing for the town."

Gill said: "We already have more than 700 signatures on the petition."

Creating the new health centre is the council's main priority after the collapse of the Wickford regeneration plans.

Gill said: "The health centre will be good for Wickford and a lot of people here will appreciate it. But there are other places it could go."

Malcolm Buckley, who represents Wickford on Basildon Council, said: "We have been in touch with the market operators, and will be speaking with traders as well.

"The health centre is our main priority, and we've agreed in principle to transfer the land to the NHS.

"But we hope to have an alternative market site in place before work starts.

"Having it on the High Street with some sort of pedestrian scheme or one-way system is a possibility."

Mike Le-Surf, the Labour candidate for the new Rayleigh and Wickford seat, is backing the traders and will hold a Save Wickford Market stall in the town on April 10.