CARTERTON is to have its own market square.

Plans by Carterton Town Council for the new space have been approved by West Oxfordshire District Council.

It will be built outside the town hall as the old Tremain Veterinary Group’s premises is demolished to make way and the area is re-paved.

A tree will also be removed and new ones will be planted, while the war memorial will be untouched.

A path will be created from the square to the nearby Morrison’s car park.

Town clerk Caroline Ramsey said the square will be used to accommodate the existing market, which takes place every Thursday, as well as for farmers’ and crafts markets.

She said it would benefit the town because Black Bourton Road is closed on market days.

Ms Ramsey said: “For a town this size we need a market square. The market is big and we really wanted to keep it going so we looked for somewhere else for it.

“The vets is getting really dilapidated so we decided the area outside the town hall was the best place for it.

“It is also hoped that the square will provide a focal point to draw shoppers from Morrison’s into the town centre, while creating a better freeflow for people.”

She said the town council was hoping it would be ready by June and it could be opened with an international market event.