WANSTEAD market trader Janet Devers has dropped an appeal against her conviction for selling fruit and veg in pounds and ounces.

Ms Devers was fined nearly £5,000 after being found guilty on eight counts of breaking the Weights and Measures Act in October last year.

She did vow to fight the conviction but today at midday Ms Devers announced she was pulling out because of ill health.

She is also worried if she loses the appeal she could be financially ruined.

The appeal had been scheduled for next week.

A "gutted" Ms Devers told the Guardian: "I just want to thank all your readers for all their support. I'm just sorry I have withdrawn but I just had to.

"I felt I couldn't go on because of all the stress and personal problems that have come from this.

"I just couldn't stand another two days in court.

"And if I’d have won it would have cost the taxpayer at least £20,000 or £30,000, so I feel I’ve done the honourable thing.

"I'm not a martyr I'm just someone taking a stand."

She added: "What I'm doing now is going on holiday to Barbados with my sister.

"When I come back it's going to be all over and done with, and Hackney Council will leave me alone."

A spokeswoman for the authority said: “Hackney Council is satisfied with this outcome.

"Ms Devers’ prosecution sent out a strong message about the importance of complying with current legislation that is designed to protect consumers.

"The prosecution of Ms Devers had come after a number of warnings about the need to comply with the law.”

It comes after Hackney Council dropped further charges against Ms Devers in December, which were due to be heard in front of a jury.

And an investigation is still underway by the authority into claims that its trading standards officers “deliberately targeted” Ms Devers and Woodford Green market trader Colin Hunt, while ignoring other traders who carried out similar practices.