Janet Devers, who runs a vegetable store in Ridley Road Market was found guilty of contravening the Weights and Measures Act.

Outside Thames Magistrates' Court, supporters of Mrs Devers called for common-sense over the issue, be it in "ounces or grams".

The appeal comes as the Government prepares to draw up new guidelines discouraging councils from taking action against market traders over imperial measures.

Mrs Devers, 64, was convicted earlier this month after being prosecuted by trading officials at Hackney Council.

The stall holder, from Wanstead, east London, had described the verdict as "farcical"

She said: "I stood my ground in court and was gobsmacked by the verdict.

"When they said guilty, guilty, guilty, I was speechless.

"My family have been in this business for a hundred years, going back to my grandfather. "

Mrs Devers refutes claims that she refused to weigh items in metric and claims that she is being victimised.