SHOPPERS should consider boycotting several market traders in Frodsham if they continue blocking the pavement in Main Street with their stalls.

Frodsham town councillor Lynn Riley claimed the shock tactic may be the only way of finally solving the persistent problem. Rights to the weekly market, held under an ancient charter, are owned by Mr Michael Don, of Northern Markets, who operates the thriving weekly street sales. However, town leaders have struggled to keep the market in line, amid complaints from residents that some stallholders regularly encroach too far on to the pavement.

Various attempts have been made over the years to solve the problem, including marking out boundary lines for stalls, but even with police backing, the blockages persist. Now frustrated town councillors have requested yet another meeting with Mr Don in the hope of establishing ways of keeping better control.

Cllr Riley said: 'If we find Mr Don is not interested in meeting us, we will need to find some other way of exerting some authority. If nothing is done about it soon, I suggest we ask people to sign a petition to forward to Mr Don and put pressure on him to do something. We could also ask people to boycott stalls causing problems.'

Town and borough councillor Nigel Griffiths claimed traders were hindering themselves.

'They are actually putting customers off. I know people who won't go into Frodsham on market day because of all this. It's almost impossible for people with wheelchairs and motorised scooters to get through.' he said.

Town and borough councillor Brian Lloyd urged a little caution, saying: 'I would not like to see it completely regimented. However, I do think it has become downright greedy about how many stalls it wants to put up.'

The town council agreed the main concerns were to ensure stalls kept within the designated limits, that no stalls be allowed against buildings and that the middle pedestrian crossing on Main Street was kept clear.