CAR boot sales, said to be vital to voluntary groups in Frenchay, will go ahead this year despite fears they would have to be cancelled.

The events, which usually take place on the village common in May and August, came under threat when organisers applied for permission, a process carried out annually, to use the parish council-owned land.

Despite concerns from councillors over the potential damage to newly installed bunding on the common, aimed at preventing travellers from entering the site, the car boot sales have been secured.

Residents and organisers rallied round and presented a petition to the parish council, signed by 41 supporters of the car boot sales.

They argued profits from the sales are the main source of income for many organisations in the area, most of which involve youngsters in the village, and that cancelling the sales would have a "detrimental effect" on those groups.

Representatives of the Scouts, Brownies and Frenchay Museum spoke in favour of the sales at Winterbourne Parish Council's monthly meeting.

The council, which decides whether to allow the car boot sales prior to the events, has now agreed to allow the sales this year although certain provisions have been put in place.

Clerk Lyn Isles said: "The main concern was over parking as the events started with half a dozen people but now it is quite commercial with people coming from as far as Birmingham to hold stands.

"The council has spent all this money on the common to stop travellers using it but organisers of the car boot sales have now agreed to police them themselves."

The two areas of bunding around the common will be removed to allow for stalls and parking for shoppers but will have to be reinstated within 24 hours.

The council however, has now agreed to purchase a number of retractable bollards to control entry and exit on and off the common. Mrs Isles said they would be in use for next year's events, if not by August.

Organisers of the events will also have to ensure the flow of traffic entering and exiting the area causes minimum disruption to other motorists, that no damage is caused to the village common and that it is cleaned thoroughly afterwards.

The toilets at Frenchay Primary School will be open to the public during the first event this Bank Holiday Monday.

Now this year's events have been secured, the parish council, residents and organisers have agreed to hold a public meeting to address some of the issues raised and to discuss the long term policy of car boot sales on the site.