TRADERS are celebrating the relocation of Kidderminster's outdoor market in the heart of the town and hope to see it expand.

Fruit and vegetable stallholder, Michelle Simmons, says she and other traders have been congratulated by customers and shopkeepers for their stalls and have high hopes for its future growth.

She also hopes it will trade on two days rather than just Thursdays, as at present, in the future.

The 45-year-old, who sold fruit and vegetables in the market's former Worcester Street location for 15 years, has also hit out at critics of the stalls.

Responding to a letter in the Shuttle/Times & News last week, which referred to the market as a "visual and audible blot on the landscape of the town centre", she challenged the writer to visit her stall.

"I'm really upset about it because it's downgrading the market," she said, "It isn't a tatty market."

She added "everyone" was pleased with the new situation.

"All the customers are saying how wonderful it is and congratulating us and that speaks for itself, really," she said.

"There are about 20 stall-holders in Kidderminster at the moment and, hopefully, the council will increase this number next year."

She added that nearby shop staff had also told her the market had boosted their Christmas sales.

Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, councillor Stephen Clee, praised the market as a "fantastic opportunity" to attract more people to the centre of Kidderminster.

He said he was delighted it was now situated in the High Street and would be delighted to see it expand in the future.

"We've put a lot more people back into the heart of the town," he said.

"It has generated a lot more interest from the public and there are more people milling around and spending money in Kidderminster."

He added: "I would be delighted to see the market extend in its new location in the heart of the community - we would welcome more stalls coming to Kidderminster.

"If more stalls want to come to the town, they can contact the cultural, leisure and commercial services department and an officer will speak to the cabinet holder with responsibility, Marcus Hart."