FURIOUS traders are demanding to know who gave permission for a superstore to set up stall and give away free fruit in the entrance to Burnley market during the Spanish festival in the centre.

The stall, set up by Sainsbury's, was moved after 90 minutes when the traders protested. The store apologised but the staff manning the stall said they understood the market traders had been informed.

Paddy Brady, secretary of the market traders association, said: "Everyone we have asked said it wasn't them who gave permission but I am going to a meeting this afternoon and I will find out who did. It is a kick in the teeth for the market traders who have made such an effort."

But town centre manager Carl Speight claims Mr Brady was at a meeting in April when the Sainsbury's stall idea was first discussed.

Greengrocer John Nugent said: "I bought in extra Spanish fruit for the event, but how can I sell it if someone else is giving it away?" Sainsbury's store manager Paul Clapham said: "We would not have set up a stall if we had not thought that we had permission. We support initiative Burnley and we contribute to the salary of the town centre manager.

"We were asked to participate and got agreement from our head office who provided us with produce from Spain to give out to shoppers.

"We would never to anything to alienate other traders in the town."

Mr Speight, one of the event's organisers, said: "The Sainsbury's idea was purely to provide a themed food and wine tasting display to attract shoppers on to the balcony and into the market hall.

"The aim of the festival, which was centred around the market, was to give the stall holders a new range of customers because Saturday is a quiet day.

"The musicians even left the Market Square and moved up the stairs to perform on the balcony to entice the shoppers to follow."

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