AN organisation founded more than 50 years ago to look after the interests of "corner shop" greengrocers has been forced to fold -- and the rise of supermarket shopping has been blamed.

Dwindling membership has spelled the end for the Blackburn branch of the retail Fruit Trade Federation, which was set up in 1942 and had Blackburn Market stallholder Fred Harty, father of Russell Harty, as its first president.

Current president is Michael Muldoon. The 64-year-old has run a greengrocers in Pritchard Street, Blackburn, for 32-years and is also a familiar face on Roman Road estate, where he delivers goods on his van.

The business is up for sale ready for his retirement early next year.

"We are obviously very sad that the branch is closing," he said." The decision has been taken nationally. It is a sign of the times and a reflection of the decline in the retail trade.

"It is all to do with the rise in supermarkets. It has become harder and harder for independent corner shops and market stalls to make a living. In its heyday the federation was wealthy and powerful. Conferences were held every year and our dinner dances attracted hundreds of fruiterers. The main purpose was to share information. At one time we had about 80 members in the Blackburn area. Four committee members have been keeping it going for a while but it is time to call it a day." The Blackburn branch, the last group in the North West area federation, plans to donate remaining funds to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph supported East Lancashire Hospice Appeal.

Arrangements are also being made to hand over the president's chain of office, along with a brief history of the branch, to Blackburn Museum. The chain features Fred Harty's name.

A spokesman for supermarket giants Asda, which has a store in Blackburn, said: "It is obviously customers who decide where they prefer to shop.

"There are still trade bodies in existence, in fact Asda is a member of the Fresh Produce Consortium, along with independent retailers."

A spokeswoman for Tesco, which operates two stores in Blackburn, added: "It is always sad when small local traders go out of business. It is never our intension to make them suffer. We aim to compliment existing businesses and in our experience opening a supermarket can attract people back into an area, which in turn helps smaller shops."

Picture: Greengrocer Michael Muldoon with his federation chain of office.