TRADERS today said the spirit of festive spending was alive and well in Blackburn -- despite roadworks causing upheaval in some areas of town.

Blackburn Shopping Centre and market was buzzing over the weekend with shoppers out early looking for bargains, although at least one prominent shop reported a dramatic fall in takings.

President of Blackburn Chamber of Trade Ron O'Keeffe said: "From talking to traders in the market and the shopping centre trade has been late coming this year but all the signs are good.

"Activities the council have put on like the Victorian theme have brought people in -- and hopefully trade will reach a peak this week."

He added that people had 'moaned' a little about the roadworks to create the orbital route, which opened on Sunday, but had been patient and had still come in. He said he hoped that now the roadworks had finished the traffic flow should get easier and it should be a good week for trade.

He added that the car parks had been full and the switch-on of the Christmas lights had also attracted a lot of people into the town.

But some traders in the Church Street area said trade had suffered because of the traffic disruption.

At the Famous Army Stores, which sells walking and outdoor equipment in Church Street, the roadworks has meant Christmas misery for manageress Hazel West. She said: "We are 50 per cent down in sales this year -- we had a bumper Christmas the year before last but at the beginning of this year we suffered because of foot-and-mouth and now for this time of the year we're really struggling.

"Normally we are really busy on Saturday and there's only one more to go before Christmas." Manageress of Wo-man on Higher Church Street, Jo-Anne Helm said: "The roadworks have affected us but we were all given plenty of notice and it should look wonderful when it is finished and should bring a lot more people into Blackburn.

"If people want to go a shop then they will get to it. Trade's fine -- I can't say it's booming but it's OK."

Mike Tighe on Whittaker's butchers on Blackburn market said trade was doing very well and the market was busy.

Manager of TJ Hughes in Blackburn Shopping Centre, Ed Mallam said: "It's been very, very good and much busier than last year. Selling particularly well compared to last year are television and audio equipment, fragrances and cosmetics."

And shoppers in Blackburn seemed happy with what the town had to offer.

Alan Rix, 54, of Rossendale said he loved shopping in Blackburn -- "It's great, it's my number one stop, I never bother with Manchester, I stay here."

Carol Akeroyd, 52 and grandson, Christopher Riley, five, had come to Blackburn from Darwen. Carol said the roadworks had not really been a problem although the buses had been a bit 'awkward'. She said: "We enjoy Christmas shopping in Blackburn."

Peter Jackson who runs a jewellery shop in Blackburn Shopping Centre said: "Trade's been good and everybody's been in good spirits. At this time of year you tend to reap the rewards of the work you've done in the year -- people stay very loyal to Blackburn."

Traders were also upbeat in surrounding towns. David Marsden of Cowgills of Clitheroe said: "It's been our very best year so far -- better than last year. I think we've quite a good selection of shops so people don't need to go away like they used to."

Simon Dawson of Dawson's Department Store in the town said they were doing very well and a lot better than last year. He said: "It's been far and away the best ever December and the shop itself is a lot busier."

Geoffrey Stanley of F Stanley and Son jewellers in Accrington said: "Trade's been wonderful, last year was the best ever in 40 years and hopefully this year will be as good."

Although Geoff Feathers of G Feathers butchers in Accrington market said: "The market's a bit slow but we are hoping for better this week." And Kath Reece of Hodkinson's Florist on Duckworth Street in Darwen said: "It's a bit slow but has started to pick up."