THE owner of a family-run jacket potato stall that has traded for 15 years on Accrington Market has appealed to his customers to save his chips and follow him to one of the new development's kiosks.

Mike Saunders said he had no option but to take one of the new kiosks on Peel Street despite facing a doubling of rent that he initially said he could not afford.

"We decided we had to try, but the only way we can survive with this is if our customers follow us," he said.

He has run the family's hot potato stall on Broadway with his wife Carolyn, 46, and their daughter Samantha, 27, since the late 1980s, but was told there was no place for his trailer in the new-look market.

The building work started at the market early last year and the stall holders, including Mike, will move in by the end of the month.

Mike said he got the first letter giving him one month to find alternative arrangements at the end of March. He got thousands of signatures from other stall holders and customers to pressure the council to let him stay in his present capacity, but they would not relent.

"It was a nightmare. It was a blow giving us only a few weeks the way they did, but we have no other choice than to foot the doubling in rent, which jumps from around £40-£50 to £100, which was the big squeeze.

"The council said they would help us fit out the new kiosk, so that's something, but what we need for us to survive is for our customers to follow us.

"We'll still trade on Broadway until we can move in at the end of May, but when we move I hope our customers will follow us. We won't survive if they don't."

Peter Britcliffe, leader of the Conservative group on Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "I urge people to support the stall. It's a traditional part of the market and an asset to the town.

"One of the main thoughts behind the new development is that trade will increase, so hopefully this will help. A lot of us wish him well, but we need to keep an eye out to make sure he does.

"It is something we will be looking at when we appoint our officers this week."

Jean Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: "It was a shame he could not stay where he was because of the new plans. I urge everyone to support him. Another £50 to £60 is a lot of money to find. If everyone supports him he can carry on."

Nigel Rix, director of Hyndburn First, the council's development agency responsible for the new market, said: "The council has had constructive discussions with the Saunders regarding the future location of their business.

"We are committed to retaining their business in the town centre and are very pleased they have accepted the offer of a new kiosk on Peel Street. This is a busy location where their business will continue to improve for the future."