SHOP owners and councillors today blasted the prospect of Darwen turning into the borough's 'takeaway town'.

They fear fast-food shops are taking over the streets and making it more difficult for other traders to survive.

Kathleen Reece, owner of Hodkinson's flower shop on Duckworth Street, said: "I have two takeaways on either side of me and the problem is that people go and buy food and then drop their litter all over the streets.

"It is not making Darwen look an attractive place and we've got enough of them in this town."

There are currently 23 takeaways in Darwen, varying in choice from Indian meals to traditional fish and chips.

Just under half of the number are located along the main streets of Blackburn Road and Duckworth Street, and that is thought to be dissuading other other shops from opening up and providing a wider range of products to attract people into the town.

Eileen Helliwell, of Helliwell's shoe repairs on Bridge Street, said: "These shops create a lot of litter and I think the owners should be made responsible for cleaning up after the people who buy food there. They should put their own bins outside their shop."

Two more takeaway's have recently been granted council planning permission on Bridge Street. One decision to deny permission was overturned by government officers after the shop owner appealed against the decision.

Coun Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst ward, said: "We do have too many takeaways in Darwen. We tried to stop one from opening on Bridge Street but the decision was overturned."

Blackburn with Darwen Council has the right to refuse permission where a certain area becomes dominated by a specific type of shop or outlet.

Coun Smith added: "We have placed time restrictions on a number of takeaways near residential areas which can only open until 11pm."

Coun Paul Browne, of Sudell ward, said: "We don't want Darwen to turn into the takeaway town of the borough and at the moment we are filled with them. Once there are a few here making a go of it, others come in and challenge them and that's the nature of business.

"At the moment, they are completely taking over."

Adam Scott, Blackburn with Darwen director for regeneration, said: "Sometimes it's impossible to refuse planning permission because people can always appeal against the decision and a refusal could be overturned."

The owner of a takeaway on Blackburn Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said the businesses would not survive if they weren't used.

He said: "There is obviously a great need for them because it is a thriving market. The day people stop using takeaways will be the day they stop opening in Darwen."