PLANS to relay Preston's historic flag market could give thieves a chance to cash in on the town's heritage, councillors have warned.

They want guards to work around the clock watching over the town's famous flagstones when they are ripped up and re-levelled next year to keep the crooks at bay.

Several areas in Preston are suffering at the hands of crafty criminals, who are ripping up pavements throughout the borough, and selling the historic flagstones.

Council bosses are now replacing stolen flags with standard paving slabs, and councillors want to make sure the crooks have no way of getting to the market's treasures.

Coun Ron Marshall said: "There is no doubt about it, the people stealing flagstones are very crafty. They have lifted whole streets in the night and nobody has been any the wiser until the next day.

"The flag market needs repairing, but the flagstones need protecting. We don't want to lose them, and they will vanish if crooks get the chance."

The relaying will take place over two years, costing £35,000. They were last relaid 12 years ago, but have become uneven through weathering. The flags have already resulted in a number of insurance claims being made against the council.

A council spokesman said the need for a guard wasn't immediately apparent, adding: "The relaying of the flags is a measure to ensure people's safety.

"The stones are uneven and people have been tripping up.

"These flags are difficult to relay because they are different sizes and thicknesses and as a result a highly-skilled flagger is needed."

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