Organisers of Burgess Hill's town centre market are meeting councillors in a bid to stop it from closing down.

The market has been held in the town for decades, but traders say they could be forced out of business within two months if it is refused permission to move into the main pedestrianised shopping area.

Traders are holding a meeting with Burgess Hill Town Council on September 19 to put their case forward and are backed by Countrywide, the Worcestershire firm which operates the outdoor stalls.

The relocation would be the market's third in 15 years. The most recent change of venue was on June 2 this year, to a car park off Church Road, which traders say is too far from the main shops.

The market was traditionally held in the town centre but when the area was redeveloped and The Martlets shopping centre created, the market was moved to a car park in Cyprus Road, then to its current home.

Monte Tree, market manager, said: "This is the last-ditch attempt to save the market. We could close within two months and it's as serious as that.

"If we can give the market traders hope that they will move into the centre then they will hold on, but if there's no hope then it could close."

The market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mr Tree said trade had already started to drop off because people were reluctant to visit the existing site.

Countrywide, said it was willing to invest cash to save the market. The firm wants to have permanent stalls through the paved area of Church Walk.

The permanent covered stalls would not only allow the market to trade on its usual days, but also enable other themed markets, such as the farmers' market and bric-a-brac or antique markets, to use the stalls on other days.

Mr Tree said: "This would give Burgess Hill an unique opportunity of returning the market into the heart of the town itself and thus bring Burgess Hill alive as a thriving market town in central mid Sussex."