Biddulph residents are signing a petition calling for permission to hold markets on a Saturday, due to a 749 year old charter preventing Biddulph from doing so.

Biddulph currently holds its Artisan Market on the first Friday of every month. The market on Biddulph High Street sees a range of local traders and businesses gathering to display their produce to residents.

Over the years however, many residents have asked for the market to be held on the weekends, as many have to work when the market takes place, and are therefore unable to attend.

However, Biddulph is unable to do so because of 749 year old charter held by Cheshire East Council, which prevents any town within almost a seven mile radius of Congleton from having their own market on a Saturday.

A spokesperson for Biddulph Town Council explained on their website: "Our neighbouring town of Congleton is a Charter Market, a status which was granted in 1272.

"This prevents other places in a 6 and 2/3 mile radius from having a market on a Saturday.

"Congleton Town Council is not the custodian of this Charter Right, that rests with Cheshire East Council, who now run the Congleton Market.

"Over the years, Biddulph Town Council has had many discussions about the Charter to ask if we could move our market to a Saturday, but Cheshire East wish to uphold Charter."

In response to this, local resident Kayla Powell has set up a petition calling on Cheshire East to give the people of Biddulph what they want.

She said: "Cheshire East have decided that we in Biddulph cannot hold a market on a Saturday. This means we have to hold it on a Friday when most people are at work.

"Enough is enough! Our town, our decision!

"As a town we would love to support small local business but as most people work on a Friday when the market is currently on we can't. This petition will be delivered to Cheshire East giving the whole town a voice since they do not want to listen to our town council."

The petition currently has 73 signatures at the time of writing. If you would like to sign it click here.