A FISHMONGER whose family business spans seven decades is quitting Blackburn's market, blaming a "desperate" lack of trade.

Garry Easton's grandfather George Hargreaves founded the stall in the mid 1930s, and it was once part of a renowned fresh fish market in the town.

But Mr Easton, 54, is winding up G Hargreaves & Sons at the end of this month.

The father-of-three, who has manned the stall for the past 24 years, said he took the decision with a heavy heart.

But he said there were no signs of things improving for traders, despite the planned move to a new £5 million facility in Church Street in 2009.

Mr Easton's departure will mean Blackburn, which once boasted scores of fish stalls in its market, will be down to just one.

He said: "It's desperate. We are here on a Wednesday morning, and there's nobody about. They should be queued up.

"I think it's sad the town can't support two fish stalls to the extent it needs supporting.

"The market was renowned throughout the north. We had 12 fish stalls as recently as 15 years ago.

"Two of my staff have been here for a long time, and it's been a very heartfelt decision to have to take."

The stall moved from the market's old base, now the Mall shopping centre, to its current home on Penny Street in 1964.

Mr Easton blamed the rise of supermarkets and changing shopping habits for the decline, and claimed the current market was being overlooked ahead of its move to a new site.

"I think the fact that they are building a new market has had an adverse effect. The publicity probably means people think this place isn't functional any more."

Assistant Paul Ellel, of Painter Wood, Whalley has not worked anywhere else since starting work on the stall aged 13.

He said "From what I have known to what it's like now, it's not the same."

Customer Mary Allen, 75, from Lammack, said: "I have been shopping here for more than 60 years, and I shall be sorry when it closes."

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are actively seeking to relet the stall and are hopeful it will remain a fishmonger. We have had several enquiries already. It is business as usual in the market. The development of the new market is tied in with the development of the Mall."