A TRADER has accused officials of banning Christmas after they prevented him playing festive music.

Family firm Whittakers Butchers plays Christmas tunes every year to get customers into the festive spirit.

But bosses at Blackburn's three-day market have ordered them to turn off the music because it was too loud.

However, store owner Mike Tighe, part of the family firm that has been trading since 1916, said no customers have ever complained before.

He added: "I've been here for 12 years and every year we've played Christmas music. The customers love it, the staff love it, and up until this week I thought the managers loved it.

"I usually play Saga radio - an FM radio station targeted specifically at the over-50s - because most of our customers are elderly, so I am hardly likely to blast out a load of offensive rap. How can anybody complain about Bing Crosby, Cliff Richard and Aled Jones?

"These people have no Christmas spirit.

"What makes it worse is that we play the radio every day and they don't say anything. But as soon as we start playing Christmas tunes they get upset. It's like they are offended by Christmas itself."

Whittakers traditionally starts playing Christmas music on December 1 but it

was on Wednesday this week that managers intervened.

Most fellow stallholders in the market have backed Whittakers in their stance.

Melissa Ridings, of Wings Pots, said: "They shouldn't be so miserable. There's nothing wrong with Christmas music and if it was a bit loud they should have politely asked them to turn it down."

Farook Mahmood of Casual Sportswear said: "It cheers the customers up and keeps them buying, which is what we're here for."

But one rival butcher, who asked not to be named, said: "Some customers complained because the music was too loud. I don't think anyone objected to the music - it was the volume."

Fans of Christmas have also leapt to the defence of Whittakers.

Ian Hazell, of Ayr Road, Blackburn, has entertained his nine grandchildren for the last five years with a huge light display featuring Santas, reindeers and a Christmas sleigh.

Ian, whose wife Patricia died six weeks ago, said: "I think they are killjoys to do this. My wife used to go to the market and she loved the Christmas carols. She would have been disappointed.

"I'm glad that the butchers are standing up to them because Christmas music is only a harmless bit of fun."

Terry Longden, markets manager, said: "Our markets are totally Christmas-friendly with lots of music, goods and, of course, Santa's grotto.

"The markets office received complaints about the loudness of music being played from this stall and indeed the quality of it which was off-putting to some other traders.

"We already play Christmas music in the markets through our PA system to enhance the overall ambience of our friendly market and these tracks were conflicting with that.

"If traders have particular CDs they want to play, we will play them."