Eastleigh'S main shopping streets could soon be given over to two weekly markets if council chiefs press ahead with a reshuffle.

The market, which currently has its home in the Safeway car park, off Romsey Road, would move to High Street or Market Street under the proposals - where it would vie twice a week with current town shops.

Car parking space would be freed up, but traffic would be blocked from the one-way town centre routes. The idea has raised concerns among some town centre traders.

Jane Angel, shop assistant at clothing store QS, said: "A lot of our customers stop outside the store, which they won't be able to do if the road is closed. Disabled customers, especially, will be put off."

But many others have swung behind the scheme, saying it will draw people down the main streets from market stalls in Leigh Road.

Julie Mulcahy, manager at furnishing store Ponden Mill, said: "A lot of people just get off the bus at Safeway and stay at that end of town. This will help get them at least outside our shop - and then we'll just have to hope it rains."

At Dixons in Market Street, manager Steve Reynolds, was equally upbeat: "It will create more of a footfall around here. At the moment it's dead on market days."

Labour leader Peter Luffman, behind the proposals, will introduce the idea at an Eastleigh council committee meeting next Tuesday. A feasibility study is likely to be ordered and should report back to the council on April 20.