FARMERS' markets in Evesham are to continue up until the end of December but, in future, farmers might have to pay the town council a fee.

At a full meeting of the council on Monday, (8) members agreed to extend the trial period from October until the end of the year.

They also gave permission to allow an extra market, on December 11, but they refused to sanction one every month for the foreseeable future, as town centre manager, Lew Hammond, had requested on behalf of the farmers.

In a letter to the council, Mr Hammond said that the markets, outside the old post office in the High Street, had proved highly successful.

He said: "Despite one or two teething problems they had been generally accepted as beneficial to the area by the local traders."

Coun John Stych, who owns Bunty's nearby, said: "I took a jaundiced view when they first started but they are very successful with the public and my customers. It doesn't really impinge on other markets."

Councillor Andy Dyke said: "It's good for the town and good for retailers up that part of the High Street."

Coun Phil Nosworthy, however, thought a monthly market might be "overkill". He said: "Last year we agreed to allow no more than six annually."

Coun Ron Cartwright said: "These people do not pay a thing to Evesham Town Council, who hold the market rights. They should pay the going rate."

Coun Steve Selby said: "I think we should charge, to be fair to other market traders."

Despite town clerk, Frank Green, pointing out that the farmers did pay fees to the market organisers, he was asked to negotiate with them between now and January, to see what fee may be mutually acceptable.