PLANS for more food and crafts markets in Prestwich are gathering pace.

Last year, town hall chiefs came under fire from independent traders for granting a licence for markets without publicising it widely and, in response, they pledged to improve communication next time.

Now council leaders have announced this week they are seeking applicants to come forward if they want to run food and craft markets at the Longfield Suite.

A Bury Council spokesman said: "The tender is for certain hours on designated market days over an initial period of one year commencing on October 1, with an option to extend for a further 12 months, and to operate and manage markets upon the site during those hours on those days and throughout that period."

Bury's Lib Dem leader, Cllr Tim Pickstone, welcome the fact that the council was advertising the tender "in the right way this time" but criticised those in charge for taking so long to bring the markets back after Bury Artisan Markets ended its contract at the start of this year.

Cllr Pickstone said he was also concerned that, whoever wins the tender, might not hold markets until the new year.

He added: "It is a shame that there is going to be such a long gap between farmers' markets.

"The markets have been very popular in the past and I am worried that they will lose momentum after such a long gap between market days."

Bury Artisan Markets had mixed fortunes with its events in Prestwich and Whitefield.

Some were well attended and proved profitable for traders, who often sold out of goods, while others were hampered by bad weather and poor turnouts.

The council wants an "innovative" operator to run the markets and expects the winning tender to advertise their events well and to develop close links with independent traders.

Organisations can submit a tender via the-chest.org.uk and can find out more information by calling the council's markets manager Andrew Heyes on 0161 253 6520.