ONE of the Hampshire's biggest markets could suffer a disastrous drop in trade if the Hythe Ferry is axed.

Hythe's Tuesday market attracts a large number of bargain hunters from Southampton, who nip across on the ferry and then walk the short distance to the stalls in New Road.

Stallholders say city residents will turn their back on the Waterside village if the ferry is sunk by a huge hike in its business rate.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the vital link is under threat from plans to levy a 740 per cent increase in the annual rates bill paid by the operator, White Horse ferries Ltd.

The Echo has launched a petition aimed at persuading valuation chiefs to slash the figure and save the ferry.

Market traders say few of their Southampton customers will drive to Hythe if the boats are axed.

The stalls provide vital spin-off trade for village shopkeepers, who will also suffer if the ferries stop running and fewer people visit the market.

Stallholders include Jenny Hackett, of Blackfield, who took part in a successful campaign to save the market in 2003 after the operator pulled out.

Mrs Hackett said the attraction was still struggling to recover from an incident later that year in which a dredger smashed into Hythe Pier, disrupting ferry services.

She said: "Southampton people got out of the routine of coming across on the ferry and suddenly we didn't see them any more.

"The market will be a lot quieter if the service is scrapped."

Fellow stallholder Dave Pimmer said: "It's a nice little market but trade has been terrible - and it will only get worse if the boat stops running.

"Catching the ferry is a nice day out, whereas it's a long way round by car or public transport. People just wouldn't bother."

Burger bar owner Dave Stevens, who lives near Hythe, said: "Everyone around here would suffer if the ferry closed.

"The market needs all the customers it can get and it's nice to see people coming over from Southampton.

"Last year my customers included an elderly Woolston couple who had caught the bus to Town Quay and then taken the ferry to Hythe.

"It was a nice day out for them but I doubt if they'd come if they had to make the entire journey by bus."

Traders in the village centre also acknowledge the importance of the ferry to the market and the local economy.

Sylvia Hutchings, a health

care assistant at Boots in High Street, said: "A little bit of Hythe will die if the ferry service is closed.

"Tuesdays are the days when the village really benefits, especially in good weather. Southampton people come across in droves to visit the market."

How are you campaigning to save the ferry? Call the Daily Echo on 01590 613804.