TRADERS fear their businesses may be hit if Rossendale Council lets farmers use Haslingden market to sell their produce direct to customers.

Vinnie Walsh, secretary of the Rossendale Branch of the Market Traders Federation, has written to Janet Anderson, Rossendale and Darwen MP.

He said: "At Rawtenstall, and the other Rossendale markets, we have the equivalent of a farmers' market because we are local people selling locally produced, reared and manufactured goods.

"The only thing that isn't locally produced is fruit and vegetables because there is nowhere within 15 miles to buy them, but they are bought from the nearest place."

Mr Walsh spoke out after farmers' markets were introduced at Colne's Asda store.

Rossendale Council is considering letting farmers use Haslingden market to sell produce direct to customers and, on behalf of the traders.

Mr Walsh, an ex-policeman has run a stall selling home-made toys on Rawtenstall Market for five years.

He said other stallholders sell hand embroidered cushions made in Rawtenstall, the butchers sell locally reared meat, the cooked meats on sale are locally cooked and another stallholder rears his own hens for eggs.

Another makes and sells his own home-produced lemon cheese and other stalls sell locally manufactured black puddings and local tripe.

"I can understand setting up a farmers' market in a quiet rural community or the middle of a large town or city where there is no market," he said, "but in a place like Rossendale there is no need.

Coun George Lee, chairman of Rossendale economic development committee, said he understood traders' fears and a full survey would be carried out before anything went ahead. He said: "It is not our intention to damage the market traders business. We have asked the National Farmers Union to set up a survey exercise with farmers in this area to find out how many currently sell produce locally whether to retailers or through markets so we can determine how much local produce is already being sold locally.

"Council officers are also contacting market traders and their representatives to reassure them we will not take any action to endanger their livelihoods and to survey the local market traders to see where they source their local produce."