PASSENGERS were stranded and traders' takings were down as bus drivers staged their latest strike as part of a pay dispute.

The strike, which continues today, was the fourth day of action by Stagecoach Ribble drivers in the last two months and Blackburn Market stallholders said each one had affected business.

Raymond Astley, of Astley's shoe stall on the six-day market, said: "It makes a difference.

"People are thinking twice because they get frightened of being stuck and worried that they won't be able to get home again."

Julie Stokes, of Jewellery Connection on the six-day market, estimated her takings were down by about 30 per cent.

She said: "It's usually very, very busy on Saturdays but you can tell it's quieter."

Shopper Janet Greaves and her 10-year-old son Ryan were left waiting more than 40 minutes at Blackburn Boulevard for a bus to their Oswaldtwistle home. She said: "This is the first time I've been into town for months. I don't know how I will get into work on Monday.

"I have paid for a weekly pass but I won't be able to use it."

An Oswaldtwistle man, who did not wish to be named, said he had been given a lift into town then found his usual bus had been cancelled.

He was faced with a one-and-a-half-mile walk home with his six-year-old daughter.

He said: "There should be better notification -- we didn't know anything about the strike." Services running from depots in Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston and Chorley were affected, although a skeleton service still ran on major routes.

Transport and General Workers Union drivers are striking over a long-running pay dispute and claim company drivers in other parts of the country are paid more.

Stagecoach Ribble managing director Michael Chambers said the company and union had been unable to reach a settlement despite lengthy negotiations.