MARKET traders are kicking up a stink over faulty drains near stalls because they say the smell of dead fish is driving away customers.

Fishmongers in Accrington's new Market Pavilions say the problem is preventing the waste water from their kiosks from flowing away and allowing it to stagnate.

Now Hyndburn Council has ordered developers Helical Retail Ltd, based in Leicester, and contractors to sort out the problem and put in extra drainage but it could take weeks to fix.

"It certainly can't be tempting people in," said fishmonger Steven Bramwell.

The setback is the latest problem to beset the town's £8million shopping development.

Last week the council blamed rain and United Utilities for the delay of the market square development's completion from May to mid-July.

Work on the market square development started in May last year and so far 15 units have been let to companies including JJB Sports, Poundland and Wilkinsons. The first shops will open in early September, with Wilkinsons opening in mid October.

The Pavilions were the first part of the town centre regeneration to be finished. When they opened in April 92 undercover stalls, two fish kiosks and nine secured units were available.

Mr Bramwell, 47, of Poulton Avenue, Accrington, has worked in the fish trade for 32 years.

He said: "The smell is putting people off we are losing money all the time. People get the misconception that it is the fish, but it isn't, it's the water. We only stock fresh fish, and fresh fish does not smell.

"I have told them I will be withholding my rent until the problem is sorted. "

Ray Threllfal, 52, of Burnley Road, who has worked in the fish trade for 40 years, said: "The problem is about a central drain in the middle of the market. The floor doesn't direct the water into it, it goes everywhere else."

The matter first became apparent at a meeting of the town centre's regeneration board last week, where Nigel Rix, chairman of Hyndburn First, Hyndburn Borough Council's development arm, outlined the matter.

He said: "A meeting took place last Thursday with the developers, contractors and consultants to instruct them very firmly to address the shortfall in the drainage arrangements underneath the two kiosks.

"The residual water is being swept across and into the rest of the market pavilion area and that's what is leaving the residual smells. We are putting in place drainage. That will take a few weeks and will be a little bit disruptive to those two traders."

Jonathan Cox, for Helical Retail, of Leicester, the market's developer, said: "It is something we are looking into and we hope to to find a solution shortly."