NELSON councillor David Foster has called for builders working on Pendle Rise Shopping Centre to be prosecuted for negligence.

Coun Foster, chairman of Nelson Committee, said Nelson-based Barnfield Construction had 'neglected their duty to the people of Nelson' through numerous delays to the project.

He told the council's executive it should take action and bring the company to book.

Clover Hill's Coun Foster said: "Before I joined the council a representative of the builders said they would be off site by July, then August and now they are saying the main entrance will be open for Christmas. Which Christmas?

"As far as the shop keepers are concerned, Christmas started in September.

"I feel this council is letting down the shop keepers and shoppers in Nelson by not prosecuting the company for neglect of their duty to the people of this town."

But Pendle Council's chief executive Stephen Barnes said the authority had no power to prosecute because it was not their land or their contract. He also said work was expected to finish in two weeks.

Barnfield Construction has been employed by the shopping centre's Manchester-based owners Modus to extend Pendle Rise to make way for a new Wilkinson store. However, executive councillors agreed something should be done and said officers should put pressure on the developers to get on with the work.

Coun Tony Greaves said: "I find it extraordinary officers of this council are saying nothing can be done about the Wilkinson development.

"Officers can easily get heavy with people and to pretend they can't is not in the real world."

Coun Foster's comments were backed by traders in Pendle Rise Shopping Centre.

Eileen Ansar has run First Avenue Fashions in the centre for 12 years.

She said: "It's about time Nelson council stood behind the traders and tried to do something to help us.

"They should push the developers and make them finish the work quicker and pay us compensation."