STALLHOLDERS vented their fury over the future of Blackburn Market at a meeting with council chiefs tonight.

The meeting at King George's Hall, Blackburn, was part of the Neighbourhood Voices scheme and gave traders the chance to quiz regeneration bosses over the current work going on in the town centre.

Around 150 people packed into the Windsor Suite, with two-thirds of the crowd being made up of market traders.

Shopkeepers occupying buildings on the perimeter of the current market questioned the council's commitment to helping them when it is relocated.

The plan is to rehouse it on a new £5million market facility on the site of the TJ Hughes store in Church Street under a massive redevelopment of the town centre.

Adam Scott, strategic director of the regeneration and environment department of Blackburn with Darwen Council, along with market manager Terry Longden, were at the meeting to address traders' concerns.

Eileen Hargreaves, of Blackburn Market Traders' Federation, accused the council of paying "lip service" to traders without actually tackling their concerns.

She said: "Traders are dissatisfied with the performance and contribution of the current market management.

"Will the council replace it?

"They are not sensitive to the needs of traders."

But Mr Scott said the council would listen to any concerns stall holders had and make sure that they were given a voice.

He said: "It is encouraging that traders want to get involved with management.

"I would love to work with traders about the improvement of the market."

Gary Whittaker, of embroidery firm Whittaker's, Ainsworth Street, said: "I have had a perimeter shop there for 20 years and have had no answers as to the future of the market.

"I have been told I have to look after myself and have no contact from the council or answers from Capita."

In response to that Mr Scott said: "At some point it may be down to an individual to find a replacement property.

"We are aware of Whittaker's and we will make sure our agents in Capita improve the contact with them. "

Mr Scott stressed the need for ongoing discussion between traders and the council and said this was vital over the next two-years before the new market was up and running.

Last year council bosses revealed they wanted the new market to be six-day a week rather than three days, to have more "high-quality" food outlets and "better balance" of stalls.

They have also warned existing traders that as the new facility will be two thirds the size of the existing hall, a number of them will not get a place in the new development.

At the time traders claimed there had been a lack of "meaningful" consultation.

And they claimed that while councillors and officials promoted the concept of a "high quality" market, their ambitions did no tally with the shopping habits of customers.

Neighbourhood Voices is a council initiative consisting of forums for different areas of the borough and act as an opportunity to discuss key issues relating to cohesion, litter, traffic, jobs, housing, education, anti-social behaviour, health inequalities and crime.