Market traders in Carmarthen are fighting plans to move them from their centuries-old town centre site to make way for a retail giant.

Carmarthenshire council wants to relocate the businesses to the former livestock market area across the road so Debenhams can build a store.

The council wants to build a new complex on this site

But the 100 traders at the site say it would place them on the fringe of the town - which could lead to a drop in trade.

They have organised a petition to save the market which is believed to have been held on the current site for at least 2,000 years.

The market, in its present form, was built in 1846 and traders say they benefit from their town centre location next to the major shops.

Liz Bellamy, chairperson of the market liaison committee said: "This has traditionally been a market town.

"The market itself is a place for people to gather not just to buy and sell.

"Businesses here are concerned for their families and employees, there is a danger of people going out of business."

Butcher Wyn Evans says he will refuse to move.

Liz Bellamy: plans will destroy existing businesses

He said: "Debenhams can go to the old animal market site instead of us."

Shop owner Wyn Thomas said: "This is a mad scheme and the county councillors will be going against their own principles if they approve it."

But Carmarthenshire council says their stance is jeopardising the whole project.

The authority plans to build a new market for the traders where the animal market was held before it was moved to an out of town location.

The site is now used as a car park but plans for the development there include a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, shops and restaurants.

Important

Council leader Meryl Gravell says she does not want to lose the Debenhams project.

She said: "It is very important to attract more people to the town.

"It would be a very big loss if we couldn't attract Debenhams here.

"It would have to be very well placed so that shoppers and visitors would need to pass places like the market to get to it."

The authority's executive board will discuss the plans at the end of November.