TRADERS selling plants and crafts have won their fight against being turfed off a market in favour of food stalls.

They have been allowed to continue operating at Stone Farmers' Market.

Stafford Borough Council wanted to cut down on the number of pitches and give priority to people selling food as the monthly market grew in popularity, and space became more limited.

The authority last month told traders with plant and crafts stalls they would not be able to return in September.

But the two sides hit on an agreement after stallholders united against the ruling over fears the market would lose its variety.

The plant and craft vendors were able to trade on Saturday after reaching an agreement which saw them share pitches.

Diana Smith, from Stafford, who has run a jam and chutney stall on the market for the last five years, led the campaign.

The 56-year-old said: "When I arrived to set up my stall last month, I found lots of people really upset.

"A number of traders were greeting me with the news that they had been told that they were going to be evicted. They had been told the borough council had made the decision that the farmer's market should be reduced in size, and it should be re-organised so that food was the main focus."

Ms Smith added: "We were told fire regulations meant marquees needed to fit between two painted marks on the road, but the success of the market meant it had stretched beyond these points."

Ms Smith met with council officials last week and put forward the stall-sharing idea.

She said: "We all recognise that the diversity of the market is one of its attractions.

"It is also important to recognise that many of the stallholders whose stalls were under threat have been there over the course of the five years, helping to build up the success of the market.

"Being part of a farmer's market is something that involves a huge amount of planning and work. People selling plants have to plan their stock about a year in advance to ensure that they have the right things to sell. A lot of people now depend on the market for their income."

Andy Barrett, aged 40, of Longton, has run a stall selling jewellery and cards made by wife Annie for five years.

He said: "This whole thing has been really stressful as market sales account for one quarter of my wife's business."

Nobody from the council was available for comment.