RETAIL bosses in Accrington are looking to throw open their doors seven days a week if the early success of Sunday trading at the town's market continues.

At the first-ever Sunday market last week, more than 80 per cent of stalls were filled and market bosses say this weekend looks set to be an even bigger success, with all spaces already booked.

Hyndburn Chamber of Trade vice president Michael Whewell said: "If Sunday trading is successful it will open up a whole new area for traders. At present there is a huge market in car boot sales and mill shops. Accrington misses out a great chunk of that sales market.

"If we can offer people a good day's shopping and a good day out within Hyndburn then we are keeping money within the borough.

"There are a lot of shopkeepers watching to see how things develop. The bigger shops with more staff are the most likely ones to take up Sunday opening."

Market superintendent David Bullock said: "We don't want to get carried away at this stage, but the market could become a catalyst and encourage a lot more shops in Accrington to open on a Sunday.

"A good number of visitors were people who don't often come to Accrington, and we attracted local traders who often travel miles to do business on a Sunday."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.