Traders on Croydon's historic Surrey Street market said they fear for their future as dwindling customer numbers, increased parking prices and bigger, cheaper competition move in.

Stall holders have voiced their concerns to the Croydon Guardian about their livelihood and the uphill struggle they now face in keeping their businesses alive.

John Powis, 61, chairman of Surrey Street Market Association, who has been on a stall there the majority of his working life, said: "Trade is falling fast and there isn't much we can do about it.

"Our competition offers cheaper or free parking, deals that we just can't match and a safer environment in which to shop."

The fruit and vegetable seller said female shoppers and young families were being scared off by groups of "druggies, drunks and gangs" who frequented the market and intimidated shoppers.

Market trader Richard Skeets, 56, said: "I started working here when I was 15 and there was about 120 stalls. Now look, there are less than 30. It once took 15 years on a waiting list to get a stall down here, now you can call up on a Friday and get a spot on the following Monday.

"Markets like this are a thing of the past, everyone shops on the internet or does it all in one big go, nobody wants to bother with popping down here just for some veg."

A council spokesman said it valued the market and its traders highly. "The housing redevelopments currently under way at The Exchange and Bridge House will bring in hundreds of potential new local customers."

He added: "And the opening of the public piazza around the old Pumping Station will draw many people out of High Street and into this historic part of town.

"As well as this, the council will be investing substantially over the next 12 months in physical improvements to the street scene and surrounding areas that will make Surrey Street a brighter and more vibrant place to shop."