Traders on Chorley's historic Flat Iron have reacted with anger at plans revealed by the Citizen to develop the site where the market currently stands.

Chorley Borough Council and owners of Market Walk, RREEF, confirmed last week that preliminary investigations have begun with a view to putting a new shopping centre on the eastern side of the Flat Iron, close to the by-pass.

Marie Kay, who has run a sock and underwear stall on the market since 1970, said: "I was shocked to see that development is beginning to be planned just yards away from where I operate from.

"We have a meeting planned with the council later in the month and will be asking plenty of questions with regard to this."

In May, 2004, the council revealed plans to move Flat Iron stallholders to Market Street and Fazackerley Street as part of a package of recommendations to improve the markets viability. The review of the market followed an investigation by the council's overview and scrutiny committee into falling rates of stall occupancy on both markets.

Peter Lucas, who is acting chair of the Chorley branch of the national Market Traders Federation, believes there will be strong opposition to moving the stalls.

He said: "I have had a fabric and curtain stall here since 1970 and if I move my trade will disappear. People know where to find me and that has been built up over decades.

"The market has been held here for hundreds of years and when the proposals to move us were made last year there was 100 per cent opposition from stallholders.

"As for any future development on this car park, we have not been consulted as yet."