TRADERS should breathe a sigh of relief this weekend when market hall porch work is completed.

Stallholders are still reeling financially because the month-long job effectively shut the two main market entrances .

"It's had a drastic effect," complained marketman Rick Whalley.

"To cap it all a stone above the Gas Street entrance is inscribed 'Leigh Market Hall 1996' - the place has been open since 1988.

"That should cause some confusion towards the end of the next century.

"We're not sure what advantages the porches are supposed to bring, but we do know while this work has been going on the leaky market hall roof remains unfixed."

A Council spokesman said: "Contractors promise the work will be completed this weekend.

"The money came from the Coalfield Challenge Fund which is only for new development.

"Now we can attend to maintenance work such as repairing the roof.

"The 1996 datestone refers only to the porch - inside there is a plaque depicting the year the market hall opened."

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