CONTROVERSIAL car boot sales on the field opposite B&Q in Winwick have been cancelled.

Stockport man Simon Gleave has run the events for more than seven years on his Townfield Lane site.

During that time he has feuded with Warrington Borough Council over his right to hold the market, as it refused to grant him a licence.

The council says the field is greenbelt land and no more than 28 events can be held on it a year, 14 of which can be markets.

Last January Mr Gleave declared himself the winner in the battle, saying the council had given him a rates bill for running the market 365 days a year.

But he has now admitted that he has been forced to close.

He said: "The council have come down unbelievably hard and they won't negotiate.

"They want it closed and they don't want anything on that site.

"They are adamant that it is the law and they have forgotten that the people of Warrington want car boot sales.

"I am locking it up and people will be turning up and it will be a problem."

Mr Gleave believes the organised car cruising meets he also hosts will now spring up illegally in the town centre and at retail parks.

He said: "I have made a planning application for a 12-month site so we can have all these things as much as we want.

"If the people of Warrington want their car boot they have got to write to the planning people in support."

Warrington Borough Council said it could not comment on the issue.

Mary Bernia, council spokesman, said: "We cannot comment on what Mr Gleave has said.

"This is because legal negotiations are ongoing and at a critical point."

What do you think of the decision to stop car boot sales?

Have your say in your forum by clicking here