THE district council has been told to "come clean" about the future of Kidderminster's indoor market.

Councillor Paul Harrison, commercial services spokesman for the Liberal group, warned inaction by Wyre Forest District Council posed a "death sentence" for the 60-stall market.

The Greenhill councillor added: "The market traders have long been told the council will find something for them when they eventually have to move out of the Worcester Street site.

"However, all that has been offered is the possible inclusion in a six-day-a-week outdoor market at greatly increased rental charges within the town centre redevelopment."

But Andrew Dickens, head of culture, leisure and commercial services for the council, said it was actively seeking new premises for traders.

"We know the current Worcester Street building has a restricted life and at some point there will be no alternative to demolishing and redeveloping the site. We're monitoring the situation on an annual basis but at the moment it is safe and secure," he said.

"In the meantime we are looking to acquire alternative premises. The great difficulty we have is traders don't want to operate for more than two days a week and most buildings have restricted covenants which require operating on at least five days a week, if not six."

But he said traders were being offered the option of operating two days a week at the new outdoor market site which will be sited near Tesco's on the Weavers Wharf site.

He added the cost of rents had not yet been fixed.

The Liberal Group, which was in control of the council in a coalition with Health Concern, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, is no longer part of the administration.

It follows the district election earlier this month which saw Health Concern gain an extra five seats and assume overall control.