Traders in Tavistock's Pannier Market are furious over a possible loss of trade during a predicted tourist boom — this summer's eclipse.

Tavistock Flower Show, which has been held in the market for more than 150 years, has booked the market for the first part of 'eclipse week' in August this year which means stallholders cannot trade until the day of the eclipse itself on August 11.

One trader, who wished to remain anonymous, was furious about the situation.

'I've ordered special stock for the eclipse and I won't be able to sell it,' he said.

'It's the most important week of our lifetime for trading.

'Plymouth is doing everything for the eclipse — Tavistock is doing nothing except closing the market,' he added.

Gordon Birchall, who owns Janet's Fast Food, said he felt the situation should be reviewed.

'People will be making a holiday of the whole week — I don't think they realise this is our livelihood, we're already restricted as it is,' he said.

'I fully understand that the flower show is a traditional thing, but this is a unique time and we should have been consulted — it should be looked at again,' said Mr Birchall.

Another trader, who did not wish to be named, said he was surprised at the timing of the flower show.

'For someone like me it is a hobby, but a lot of people have got to do this for a living,' he said.

Lisa Hair, who owns Duke's Cafe, said she thought the situation was 'very stupid'.

'On a Saturday our takings are down about 30 per cent from a day when there is a market,' said Mrs Hair.

Tavistock Pannier Market supervisor Keith Spiers admitted the situation was 'unfortunate' but disputed claims that the week of the eclipse could be a boom time for trading.

'It is an unknown quantity. I don't know how anybody can be categorical in assuming it will be a good day trading-wise,' said Mr Spiers, who stressed the historical importance of the flower show.

'If they want to move the date, fine. Personally I can't see any reason to,' he said.

But it seems traders are to be disappointed on this front.

John Reynolds, secretary of Tavistock Flower Show, said he did not think the committee would wish to change the date.

'The market will be there for the day of the eclipse,' he said.

'We have booked it, we've paid our deposit and we've agreed it with the council,' he said.

Mr Reynolds said they if moved the show to the previous or subsequent week, they could miss out on additional visitors to the event themselves.

The flower show use the Sunday to set up, Monday for judging and Tuesday is the public day.

Town Clerk Roger Howard said he realised how upset the pannier market traders were.

'We do have a bit of a quandary here — when the flower show did the booking nobody realised the timing, it is a shame,' said Mr Howard, who said he hoped a compromise could be found.

'I will be contacting the flower club to see if it would be possible to share the Tuesday — that might please everyone, but it will be up to them,' he said.

It has been predicted that thousands of extra holidaymakers will come to the South West to witness the solar eclipse in August — the first time the event has happened since 1927.

Most of Cornwall and parts of south west Devon will be affected — it will get steadily darker in Tavistock from 9.58am until 11.30am when the sun will be totally obscured for 40 seconds.