HEREFORDSHIRE'S two MPs have locked horns over plans for a new Hereford Cattle Market - revealed by the Hereford Times last week.

Hereford MP Paul Keetch slammed cash-strapped Herefordshire Council for wanting to buy the site at Stretton Sugwas when the new market could have been built on council land at Burghill.

Plans for a business park on the same site could also scupper the Rotherwas access road bid, said Mr Keetch. "Why build a new business park when Rotherwas is not full?" he asked.

But Leominster MP Bill Wiggin - on whose patch the new market might be built - said: "The deal, as and when it is done, will be a partnership that won't cost the taxpayer any more than it has to."

Herefordshire Council's cabinet will debate the new market in secret session today (Thursday).

Council leader Councillor Roger Phillips said the "commercial confidentiality" meant the talks had to be kept behind closed doors.

Last week, the Hereford Times reported the "preferred site" for the market lay on land between King's Acre and Credenhill.

Cabinet is expected to approve the council seeking a partnership agreement with the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns the "preferred site" at Stretton Sugwas.

HRH The Prince of Wales has recently visited the site.

Mike Evans, joint chairman of Hereford Market auctioneers, said that Stretton Sugwas was the right site with new links to the re-vamped Roman Road.

The new market's future neighbours put pollution and increased traffic among concerns outlined in a letter to Herefordshire Council.

The new market could have gone to council-owned land at Hospital Farm, Burghill, but public opposition put off the plan.