The Greenmarket - which has stood for more than 20 years - had been earmarked for demolition under plans for a £120m facelift of the city.

A petition containing more than 50,000 signatures was collected by traders trying to save the market.

After meetings with council leaders on Thursday, the traders were told it can stay.

Without doubt we could not have done this without the help of the people in the North-east

Derek Reynolds Trader

The City Council scrapped plans to demolish the market - and is now hoping to accommodate most traders alongside new chainstores.

The major redevelopment plans - announced in March - included remodelling the southern end of Eldon Square to provide space for a department store and several large retail units, together with the demolition of the Greenmarket building.

Councillor Tony Flynn, leader Newcastle City Council, told the traders that there was still room to consider the retention of elements of the Greenmarket.

Councillor Flynn said: "We have listened carefully to the traders and I understand there is a strong desire by some to incorporate the market within the new development.

U-turn

"I think this is something we can consider and will continue to involve the traders as the plans progress."

Trader Derek Reynolds believes the U-turn came about because of the petition.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Without doubt we could not have done this without the help of the people in the North-east, they have been tremendous.

"The benefit of having the market in the city centre is we didn't have to take our appeal to them, they actually came to us.

"People were coming to the stalls and asking where the petition was and they were wanting to sign it."