LEIGH'S struggling outdoor market traders, hit by the bombshell news that stall rents will double today, are planning a customer petition.

Two-for-one concessions at the struggling Albion Street site have been ended, but loyal stall holders, whose windblown conditions are still the same, want to know why.

Spokeswoman Maureen Maloney said: "We have stuck the awful conditions here for almost a year and customers say the markets should pay us for standing here. It's true.

"The lower rents have attracted some traders back, but they are up in arms over the end of the offer. The state of the place doesn't justify the increase. We lose enough money without this, but the people of Leigh are so nice we still come.

"We hope they will support our petition."

Card dealer Eddie Kelly said: "I have to look at the weather forecast before I decide to turn up. If it's raining my stock gets drenched, but even if its a hot, sunny day you hit that Albion Street corner and its freezing. Traders have to keep packing up early because of the conditions here."

Cllr Brian Jarvis, chairman of Leigh Town Centre Management Group, said the matter had been discussed at last week's meeting and that a consultant in wind conditions will survey the site on June 12 and submit a report.

He said two suggestions, that the market could be moved into Bradshawgate or back onto the Town Hall Square, could, if considered, take two years to implement because of necessary consultations and red tape.

He said: "Leigh traders have had the concession because of what they have had to endure,

but if it carried on it could set a precedent for other markets.

"We must wait and see what the consultant reveals can be done to improve the site for the traders who really have been hard done to."