FARMERS and traders today accused a council of betrayal for allowing a French market to set up in Blackburn town centre, free of charge.

The organisers of 'Bonjour Blackburn' today admitted that the three-day French market would include stalls which sold goods similar to those on the regular market.

Up to 20 French stalls, run by French people, will be set up on the recently redeveloped Church Street from Friday, June 28. They have been offered the prime-site pitches for free because Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses believe it will attract extra shoppers into the town centre -- and they claim it could benefit local traders in the long-term.

But Mike Tighe, who has run Whittakers Butchers for the last seven years, said: "None of us is happy about the French market. We pay incredibly high rent to operate here and the council needs to spend its time promoting what it already has instead of bringing in competition against us.

"There are empty pitches within the market here. It would have been much better if they had been brought on here, so at least people would have come into the market."

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said: "This has been sprung on us by the council without consultation.

"We are disappointed they will not pay rent and that any money they make will not leave the borough, but will go out of the country as well. The last time something caused such a reaction was when Church Street closed."

A similar event was held in Rochdale last year. Farmers there reacted angrily to the market, and drove their tractors around the town at 5mph to stop people getting to it.

Nick Murphy, from the Blackburn branch of the National Farmers' Union said he did not know if farmers locally would react in the same way.

But he added: "They will be very disappointed to say the least.

"A lot of local produce is sold on Blackburn Market, including meat and fruit and vegetables. To let a French Market take place in the town centre for free is a kick in the teeth, especially as the farmers have not been offered the chance to hold a farmers' market in Blackburn."

Paul Isherwood, the town centre manager, said: "The idea of this event is to attract people into Blackburn who wouldn't otherwise come here. It will give us the chance to show people what the town has to offer. In that respect, the market traders could ultimately benefit."

Graham Burgess, executive director for regeneration, said: "This innovation is an experiment to bring an extra dimension to Blackburn town centre shopping, and based on the experience of other towns will bring additional trade to the town as a whole."

Goods on sale will include fresh bread, croissants, olive oil soaps, pat, salamis, crafts and gifts, olives and dried fruits, mustards and spices, freshly made hot crepes, honey, traditional pottery, wine and cider.

Eileen Hargreaves, secretary of Market Traders Federation, said: "We are not opposed to a market like this but it has been sprung on us.

"The council is spending money promoting this French event but not on us. Why?"