A FRENCH market rolled into Blackburn early today as council bosses pushed ahead with a controversial promotion.

Seventeen stalls will be sited on the newly pedestrianised Church Street until Sunday. There will also be street entertainers and craftsmen.

When it was first announced that the market, run by French people who tour this country, would be coming, traders blasted the council for not supporting existing businesses. The French traders have been given their pitches for free because the council expects the event to attract visitors.