 Welshpool Farmers' Market is held on the first Friday of every month |
Organisers of a monthly farmers' market have claimed they may be forced to close down because they are being stopped from advertising by the roadside. Welshpool Farmers' Market said Powys County Council had refused to allow signs in the town.
But the local authority said notices were being illegally attached to road signs.
Market leaders added that sales had dropped by 40% in 12 months.
The council confiscated a number of the market's signs in February.
A spokesman for Powys County Council said: "The council actively welcomes and supports initiatives such as the Welshpool Farmers' Market and has no objection to advertising provided it is undertaken in a safe and legal manner.
 |  As a highway authority we have to take action against illegal signing |
"However, as a highway authority we have to take action against illegal signing which could present a danger to road users and has an adverse impact on the environment."
But Mr Jarvis claimed that the authority was being "petty."
"We have about 20 signs that we attach to lampposts and they're taken down at the end of each monthly sale - they're only up a few hours," he said.
"We've agreed to take down two banners that were put up at the entrances to the town, but the council is just being petty about the smaller signs."
He added: "A survey of producers who have attended the last three farmers' markets in Welshpool has revealed that sales have dropped by as much as 40% compared to the same months in 2004.
"In a nutshell, if we cannot put our signs out once more Welshpool Farmers' Market will be forced to close."
 The farmers' market started in November 2002 |
Market producer Jonathan Rees said he had noticed a fall in the numbers of customers.
"I have noticed a fall in the number of people coming to the farmers' market during the last three months, and the only thing that I can put this down to is the lack of signs around the town," he said.
The Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) said Powys council's attitude towards the signs was not uncommon.
"It varies from council to council, but this is not an uncommon problem," said Farma's Sue Thomson.
"In some areas councils are reducing the amount street furniture (signs) and this may be the cause of some problems.
"It's good to get the message across to councils that farmers' markets are good for tourism and good for business."
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