It is claimed thousands of pounds of business is being taken away from legitimate market stallholders by the illegal traders.

Members of the Leicester forum will tell the meeting of the British Market Authorities how big a problem street trading has become.

It is hoped a solution to tackling the problem can be resolved.

Street trading is illegal in the city centre and those caught are prosecuted. but market spokesmen say more must be done to deter them.

They say it is one of the most unfair situations faced by the stall holders as those who break the law end up taking trade away from the city centre market.