A single parent who wanted to trade from his market stall two extra days in Workington has had his application thrown out.

Jagdeep Puri, of Clay Street, applied to Allerdale council to sell phone accessories in the town centre on Fridays and Sundays.

His application had prompted fears that the the town would end up with an "informal Sunday market" if it was given the go-ahead.

This morning Allerdale's licensing panel refused his application.

Mr Puri, known as Jag, already trades on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the town's market.

But he told the panel that he wanted to do the extra two days to meet customer demand, as well as supporting himself and his young child.

He said: "I'm quite limited to the amount of days I can work because I've got a little one to look after, so I can't travel a lot (to other markets outside Workington) and that's why I'm concentrating on the local area.

"My family commitment means I can't commit myself to a shop but on a market I'm not obliged to turn up. If something comes up on a Saturday, then I don't have to go.

"I do get some family tax credits, but I want to be independent and support myself."

Mr Puri wanted his 8ft by 6ft stall at the junction between Upton Street and Central Way.

Workington Town Council was concerned that introducing a stall on a Sunday would set a precedent for additional stalls to follow, having a negative impact on local businesses.

Bosses of Geraud Markets also feared there would be a miniature market on non-market days.

But Toni Magean, town centre area manager, said he had no objections, since the request was made for non-market days.

Councillor Angela Kendall, chairwoman of the panel, told Mr Puri that the application was refused as granting it would conflict with the already established market in the town.

If the application was granted, it would have brought in around £4,576 to the council.