MARKET stallholders in Burnley are being given a helping hand to thrive in tough trading conditions.

Traders on Curzon Street market have been offered a range of discounts on rents and service charges over the next two years.

On average stallholders are saving around 15 per cent on rent in an aid package totalling £160,000.

Once discounts have been taken advantage of, an automatic five per cent increase will apply for all qualifying traders from April 2010.

Coun Peter Doyle, Burnley council's executive member for resources, said: "We want to help and support our market traders.

"But there is only so far we can go, we need the people of Burnley to shop in the market more.

"It is a Catch 22 situation. If people do not shop there then market traders cannot continue to trade.

"Markets are facing difficulties nationally, with changing patterns of trade, but we wanted to help to maintain our traditional markets."

The number of vacant spots at the 119-stall market is around 16, with a slight downwards trend in recent years.

Traders welcomed the move, but said more needed to be done to attract shoppers.

Ray Williams, who has run a luggage stall for 38 years, said: "Trade is nothing like it used to be. The market was built in the wrong place.

"Putting it on the first floor was a mistake. There are lots of empty stalls and we might get more people in if it's full, but we have to have a fair system.

"We don't want to see people getting incentives to come in then leaving after 12 months."

Mick Variyam, of Illusions fashion, added: "If we are not getting the footfall it won't make a lot of difference.

"We have been quite steady because we've been here years but the big problem with shopping generally in Burnley is that people coming in from other areas can't find anywhere to park.

"You have to pay everywhere and the car parks are difficult to get to.

"The council does help with publicity, but there's more that can be done."

The help package for Burnley traders follows on from a similar deal struck for stallholders at Nelson and Colne's markets this week.

An independent study conducted by Pendle officials showed the price per square foot charged on Burnley market was higher than most other East Lancashire authorities.