COUNCIL officers have pledged to clamp down on St Albans market traders who abuse the terms of their lease.

This move comes in the wake of a number of complaints from people who have witnessed traders sub-letting their stalls or using a forklift truck to move their stock.

Now officers from St Albans District Council have promised to re-issue their amended guidelines to every trader in the city's Market Place, to ensure that the rules are clear for everyone.

Mr Mike Ridley, head of the council's environmental services department, said: "We are investigating a complaint but it's proving quite difficult to prove.

"If the right stall holder is there every day and selling produce there is no real evidence of sub-letting, but we will continue to monitor the situation."

Mr Ridley added that he had taken the matter of the forklift truck up with St Albans police who would be checking to ensure the driver was properly qualified.

The council's guidelines state that anyone who sub-lets their stall will be ejected.

November 6, 2001 10:30