Protestors demonstrated outside the County Hall in Carmarthen

Campaigners held a demonstration outside the county hall earlier in the month and handed in the petition to a full council meeting.

In light of the strength of local feeling, council officials have guaranteed Carmarthen Market will not close or be moved out of the town centre.

Council chief executive Mark James said any development proposals would include the market as an "integral part of the town."

We are not against development or change - sensible sensitive development means not throwing the baby out with the bath water Canon Patrick Thomas

"We have never had any intention of closing the market or moving it to the periphery," he said.

Carmarthenshire council was considering the option of moving the provisions market to a nearby car park area so Debenhams could build a store on the market site.

Around 60 traders joined the demonstration to fight any attempts to relocate the historic market.

The vicar of Carmarthen, Canon Patrick Thomas, said there was widespread opposition to any relocation plans.

"Carmarthen is the oldest town in Wales and it has always been a market town,'' he said.

"It is one of the most vital elements making Carmarthen special and different.

"We are not against development or change - sensible, sensitive development means not throwing the baby out with the bath water," he added.

Strength of feeling

Chairwoman of the Carmarthen market liaison committee Liz Bellamy said the petition showed the strength of feeling in the town.

"The strength of our case is reflected in this petition which has received tremendous support from all over the world," she said.

She sees the market as Carmarthen's crown jewel which has been at the heart of the town for over 800 years.

Dave Gilbert, the council's director of regeneration, said the authority was at a very early stage in looking at how best to develop the mart site.

"We recognise that the market is an important part of the retail offering in Carmarthen.