TRADERS fighting to save Glasgow's oldest surviving market will stage a demonstration today as a meeting takes place to decide their future.

TRADERS fighting to save Glasgow's oldest surviving market will stage a demonstration today as a meeting takes place to decide their future.

Dozens of protesters are expected to gather outside the City Chambers as councillors discuss plans to scrap 150-year-old Paddy's Market.

Last month the council's executive committee agreed to take over the £100,000-a-year lease of the Shipbank lane site from owners Network Rail.

The local authority want to redevelop the area and let the units to arts and craft outlets.

However, both the SNP and Green councillors have separately called the matter, which means that it must be debated again by the original committee.

The site, near the Merchant City, has been home to the market since 1870, but councillors say it is run- down and crime-ridden.

However, traders and opposition councillors argue the business provides employment for around 80 people and has historical significance for the city.

Paddy's tenant, Patsy Woodward said: "All we want is to be able to continue trading.

"We have for many years been urging the council to talk to us so that we can jointly make the place a more attractive area, however our requests have been ignored.

"Instead, they have mounted a smear campaign against the traders, blaming us for crime and anti social behaviour which is clearly nothing to do with the people that work in Shipbank Lane.

"Closing Paddy's has become a vendetta by some Labour councillors for their own personal and political gain.

"Some of the traders' families have been at Paddy's for four generations and many of our customers families have been coming here for generations also.

"But its not just the old timers that shop at Paddy's, we play a vital role in providing a warm and welcoming community for new immigrants and refugees as well as giving them a place to shop for affordable goods."

Stallholders will deliver a petition to the council with several thousand signatures backing the market.

Local SNP councillor, Craig Mackay said: "Legitimate businesses in Paddy's Market provide employment for a significant number of people, and it's not the council's job to put these out of business.

"Traders must be given the opportunity to negotiate new sub-lets with the council before their leases are terminated."