Traders are hoping to get the thumbs-up to run a regular street market in Jericho, Oxford.

Loch Fyne restaurant is leading calls for a market in Jericho Street following the success of an impromptu fish stall set up outside its premises in the run-up to Christmas.

Oxford City Council has now offered backing for the proposals, and councillors will decide tomorrow whether approval should be given for two, two-day "taster" markets in May and later this year.

The council said retailers, pubs and other restaurateurs were enthusiastic about the plans and it was willing to waive normal charges for the first two markets to give organisers the chance to "test the water".

About 12 stalls will be set up at the first market at the Walton Street end of Jericho Street on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, if permission is given. Another market will follow in late summer or early autumn.

If successful, the stalls could become a regular feature.

Loch Fyne, in Walton Street, set up a stall at Christmas after an off-the-cuff comment from a customer.

Andrew Norton, who ran the scheme, said there was so much demand for the restaurant's fish that staff ended up taking 20 tables outside to sell from.

He said the response the restaurant received led him to believe there was a demand for an outdoor market.

Stallholders from the Covered Market and Gloucester Green will be invited to take part if there is space.

Jason Beaumont, a supervisor at The Jericho Tavern pub, in Walton Street, said: "I think it's a great idea for Jericho, we definitely support this."

On-street trading in Oxford is usually controlled under a Street Trading Consent scheme which prohibits street trading in some areas and allows for consent to be given in others.

Jericho Street does not fall into an area of consent, but the council said permission could be given under the Highways Act 1980.

Three years ago, organic farmer Shadiya Kingerlee, who farms in Boars Hill, Oxford, set up the county's first weekly farmers' market in Wolvercote.

The market, at Wolvercote Primary School every Sunday, has gone from strength to strength and now has stallholders selling a variety of products ranging from meat and vegetables to Fairtrade jewellery.

Councillors will discuss the Jericho market plans at St Matthew's Parish Centre, in Marlborough Road, Oxford, from 5.30pm.