In what looks to be a massive triumph for democracy, Wakefield Council’s deputy leader Denise Jeffery seems to have backed down after receiving a 20,000-strong petition demanding the Wednesday morning event be reinstated.

A 13th century medieval byelaw that prevents rival markets being set up within six and two-thirds of a mile of the city markets was used to close the sale in Fitzwilliam car boot sale, held at Catchpenny Farm, by Wakefield Council in 2006.

John Helliwell, who has campaigned for two-and-a-half years to get the sale back up and running, claims that Coun Jeffery assured him in a behind-closed-doors meeting on Tuesday that it will be back up and running as soon as the last few legal wrangles have been resolved.

He said: “I was left in no doubt after the meeting that the boot sale will be back. I am 150 per cent certain that we can have it up and running again soon.

“The council just needs to sort out the last few legal issues – it made such a good job of stopping us holding the event and now they have to undo all that.

“I am pleased to get to this point and am looking forward to the first car boot sale – I just want a date for it now.”

In an official statement, Coun Jeffery, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The market is a very important part of our plans for the southeast of the district.

“A report will now be going to the council’s cabinet this September to look at a way forward to bring the market back.

“We had a very positive meeting today and we are now working on sorting out any legal issues over the market.

“The petition showed to me how much the car boot market mattered to local people and we are listening to what people want for their      community.”