TOWN hall bosses today denied they were dragging their feet in compensation negotiations with Burnley market hall tenants.

The tenants say they are considering withholding service charges amounting to several thousand pounds a week because the three-year battle for cash back from their council landlords is still dragging on.

They claim they are owed the money - amounting to up to £250,000 in their view - for trade lost during major refurbishment of the market square area three years ago.

They say that despite promises to come up with an offer, the council has failed to do so.

David Brown, the council's director of development, said the specialist barrister advising them had been struck down with meningitis but expected to return to work soon.

"When we have received some views from him we will be contacting the tenants for a further meeting," said Mr Brown.

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