SHOPPERS have been assured that it is business as usual at Bury Market despite a fire last week.

The blaze damaged three stalls, but one trader is already back in business and by the weekend the other two should also be trading.

Bury Markets manager John Ayres said: "While there was still a problem with electricity, everyone rallied round to get the mess cleaned up and make units available for those affected by the fire.

"We obviously feel for those who lost stock and, while there is not much we can do about that, we have tried to make life as easy as possible by cleaning up to have stalls available for stallholders to resume trading as soon as possible."

Fire crews were able to prevent the fire spreading to other stalls and were at the market for several hours carrying out damping down operations. The cause of the fire, which is thought to have been accidental, is still under investigation.

"Markets -- and especially ours -- are renowned for the family spirit that they generate, and that has been very apparent following this crisis.