SHOPPERS are being urged to spend an extra £10-a-week in Accrington shops to boost trade and encourage big stores into the town.

Hyndburn councillor Brendan Shiel has vowed to put his money where his mouth is but believes the town will only become more prosperous if everyone follows his lead.

He said: "Accrington is not a shopping experience, but nothing is going to happen until people spend more money there.

"No large business is going to come here because there is not enough money going in. Local people are using their spending power outside the town.

"I am suggesting a campaign -- 'I'm backing Accy' -- appealing to the people of Accrington to spend £10 a week extra in the town centre shops.

"The people of Hyndburn need to take the situation into their own hands and drag the town up."

Coun Shiel, a Huncoat Labour councillor, added: "If we can just raise the level of spending by 10 or 15 per cent over a period of time then retailers outside the borough would look and think there was something happening here."

His idea was backed by council leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe.

He said: "I make a point of going shopping in Accrington every single week. If all of us did that and encouraged another four people to do the same, the Accrington would be more prosperous.

"We are fighting a huge battle to take the town centre forward and contributions like Coun Shiel's are extremely valid." In November an annual survey revealed that 14,000 fewer shoppers were expected to visit Accrington in 2005, compared with 85,105 the previous year, which would result in the town missing out on more than £25million in spending power.

CACI, the firm that carried out the survey, said this reflected a national trend prompted by the rise in the popularity of out-of-town retail parks.

Among the major stores already in the town are Marks and Spencer, Dorothy Perkins and Wilkinsons. Coun Shiel made his call to boost trade in the town during a debate on regeneration, led by opposition Labour group leader Coun David Myles.