DISGUSTED shoppers in Darwen have amassed a 1,100 signature petition in support of a trader who they feel is being victimised by market managers.

Geoff Hindle, who has run an ice cream and snack bar from his van on the market for 22 years, had to fight for 12 months to be allowed to set out chairs and tables for his customers - and now a rent increase of 700 per cent has meant the furniture is back in his garage.

He said: "It's ridiculous. I've only just got the tables and chairs and now they are back at home doing nothing.

"I don't use any amenities, I have to bring my own water and provide my own power, but they are saying rent for my van space has gone up from £15 to £53 and I have to pay an extra £40 to put out the tables and chairs! How can they justify it?"

When his customers found out about how the increase had meant he had had to withdraw his chairs, they helped him organise a petition that amassed 1, 100 signatures in just three days.

Mr Hindle said: "The people of Darwen are behind me on this. Everyone is disgusted that my rent can go up from £15 one week to £93 the next. They feel I am being victimised.

"A couple of councillors, Councillor Paul Browne and Councillor James Hirst, are on my side, and they are trying to get the problem on to the council agenda to try and thrash out some sort of arrangement. I just hope it happens soon otherwise all the trouble I went to to get permission for the chairs will have been for nothing."

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