Canterbury's soon-to-be-axed market is planned to be replaced by a number of street trader stalls dotted around the city at various locations.

Rather than be centred in one spot, traders are set to be dispersed and granted pitches in four different zones - stretching from St Dunstan's and Station Road West, up to Guildhall Street and the top end of the high street.

The city council believes the shake-up will bring a "vibrant atmosphere" to the area, with a mixture of stalls on offer which "appeal to everybody".

Much to the dismay of thousands, the long-standing market between McDonald's and Metro Bank will be disbanded in January next year in favour of a high street renovation.

Council leaders want to carry out a £1.2 million makeover, and believe booting out the market - and chopping down five mature trees - will help improve the area.

Now, following "a lot of consideration", the council has outlined its vision as to where the traders could be relocated.

Four different zones across the city are proposed, with the first being in Station Road West.

Five pitches will be available on the stretch in front of the multi-storey car park, before Canterbury West train station.

Last year, the council's bid for eight timber-clad kiosks was thrown out by its planning committee amid damning claims they would be a fire risk and give rise to pickpocketing, nuisance climbing and graffiti.

The authority, however, still has a vision to create pitches along the street - although it is not known whether the kiosk plan will be revitalised.

Elsewhere, traders are set to be given slots around Westgate Towers, opposite The West Gate Inn Wetherspoon in North Lane, and opposite the Guildhall council chamber at the bottom of the high street.

Further into the heart of the city, lone-standing pitches are proposed to be dotted along the high street, and spill onto Guildhall Street where they will be located outside the vacant Debenhams building.

Another pitch is proposed for Sun Street, while another is planned for Rose Lane, the square in Whitefriars outside M&S and next to the clocktower at the top end of the high street.

In total, 41 spaces for traders are envisaged to be created. In the city's current form, there are 36.

Cabinet member for place, Cllr Barbara Flack, said: "We want to create a really vibrant atmosphere in the city centre with a high quality mix of stalls that appeals to everybody.

"A lot of consideration has gone into developing a set of proposals that we hope will achieve this, using new areas of the city and upping the number of pitches.

"We are very keen to hear views about the plans. Street trading is a subject lots of people are interested in and have quite strong opinions about, so constructive and thoughtful comments will be most welcome."

The council's plans have today been out for public consultation.

As well as asking for feedback, the authority is also opening up expressions of interest for traders who are interested in applying for a street trader's licence.

To take part in the consultation, click here and complete the questionnaire by Monday 11 July.