A ROW has erupted over a suggestion that Stogursey's historic market cross could be moved to protect it from modern day traffic. The Grade 1* ancient monument is believed to have been at the junction of High Street and St Andrews Road since at least 1615 and could be up to 800 years old. But plans to protect it for the future have divided villagers. The issue of restoring the cross forms part of a wider brief to preserve Stogursey's conservation area using money released by work at the nearby Hinkley C site. A number of other projects have also been included in the parish council's list, such as getting the village mill back into working condition. It is believed that moving the cross is one of a number of options which are being considered as the monument has been damaged by passing vehicles over the years But the suggestion the market cross might be moved at all has caused controversy in the village, with local people claiming they should have been consulted before any ideas were considered. According to the minutes of the June meeting of the parish council the cross could be moved "but not very far" if English Heritage and Somerset County Council agreed. "A case will be made on the reasons why we wish to move it and send it to Somerset County Council," the minutes said. But in a statement issued on behalf of the authority this week, parish council clerk Aly Prowse said: "The complaints are groundless, as Stogursey Parish Council has absolutely no intention of making any decisions with regard to the cross without first consulting the parishioners. "Currently we are only gathering information on what may or may not be feasible." The issue of the market cross was discussed again at this Tuesday's Stogursey Parish Council meeting as councillors sought to allay villager's concerns. High Street residents Nial and Deborah Woodford said the cross belonged to the village and not the parish council and it was not up to parish councillors to decide its future. They told the Free Press: "We have always supported Stogursey Parish Council and recognise the tremendous work that they do on our behalf. "It was, therefore, very saddening to learn that the council has taken it upon itself to seek the removal of the Stogursey Market Cross from its historic site. "This ill-conceived plan appears to have been concocted without consulting the parishioners of Stogursey. "We ask what moral right does our council have to even consider moving our market cross?" And resident Jane Taunton, of St Andrew's Road, said: "The Yarn Market at Dunster and the market cross in Cheddar, both with similar listing status to our market cross, have sustained severe vehicular damage in the recent past. "Far from any attempt to have them relocated, they have both been restored. "The inconvenience to motor traffic cannot be used as an excuse to move our market cross." The Woodfords said the cross could be seen in its current location on a postcard from 1916 and was marked on a map in the Stogursey survey of 1795. "Convincingly, the market cross is also marked on the hand painted, colourful map contained in the Stogursey survey book of 1615 which is held in the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton," they said.