MARKET traders in Nantwich are toasting victory after winning their battle against the threat of closure.

They rallied round to swell their numbers after being threatened with the axe by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

The Tuesday traders celebrated by creating a Christmas grotto in the market hall, with Santa handing out gifts to children.

They also made a Christmas collection for the children's ward at Leighton Hospital.

Traders feared for their livelihoods when the council said they were planning to shut down the regular Tuesday market for the winter because it did not make any money.

The threatened closure was from January to Easter, but Nantwich Market Traders Association chairman Reg Shallcross warned that once traders had lost the habit of pitching in Nantwich they would never come back.

He said: 'Once markets shut down it is very difficult to get them up and running again. Traders either go out of business or try their luck in other places.

'And if they do come back, they find that shoppers have changed their habits, so there is very little custom.'

Trader Eddie Roberts, from Audlem, who sells cookware, said: 'We all got together and made sure we would have enough traders here throughout the winter to keep the council happy.

'Of course, it is to our benefit to stay open, but we also feel we owe it to our customers to stay open. They support us throughout the year and help make the market like a big happy family.'

Sid Gratton, who sells decorating equipment, said: 'We were so delighted when the council told us they were satisfied we had enough numbers to sustain the market we thought we would make it a festive time to remember.'

Alwyn Mayor, who has run a plant stall at the market for seven years, said he felt the council had been 'high handed' in threatening to close down the Tuesday market.

He said: 'I would say 90% of markets up and down the country are not as profitable in the worst of the winter months, but that does not mean they close down.

'We have a dedicated group of stall-holders in Nantwich who come in whatever the weather and I feel the council could have handled the situation better.'

Borough council chief executive Alan Wenham said yesterday: 'We made the traders a very clear offer of what it would take to retain the Tuesday market throughout the winter months and they responded in a very positive manner.

'I am delighted that the market is staying open. It is good news for the people who regularly shop at the market.'