SHOPPERS are being driven away from part of Darwen Market by the lack of heating, according to stallholders.

There are only a handful of stalls left in the annexe and the remaining stall holders are worried that they will be put out of business by the cold.

Council bosses said that they had installed new boiler controls in a bid to improve the annexe's heat supply.

Julie Watson, from Baron Street, Darwen, who runs a fruit and veg stall in the annexe, said she was having to wear up to four layers while working.

She said: "I've been here for a couple of months now and I've not even named my stall because I'm not certain I'll be staying.

"The cold is good for the produce but it's not good for me or the customers.

"This place is forgotten about."

Wendy Ryan, who runs the Annexe Cafe at Darwen Market, said that her takings had been slashed because of the coldness in the annexe.

She said: "I've had to take the tables and chairs out of the annexe and rely just on the indoor part of the cafe.

"Who wants to sit outside in the cold?

"Customers don't like their brews going cold so they stay inside.

"It's a very erratic heating system in the annexe and it has become the forgotten land.

"We have to go inside the market hall to get warm."

Moves have been made recently to encourage footfall in the annexe by restricting parking on the second floor of the carpark.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "Unlike the majority of markets, Darwen Market is fortunate in that it does have heating. However, the annexe section does not always enjoy the warmth of the other sections of the market.

"New boiler controls have been installed and trials are ongoing to improve the heat supply to the annexe section. Conditions are already better than in previous years and should improve further still.

"There has been a recent cold snap but we are confident it will not put people off from visiting Darwen market."