A WELL-known Blackburn Market trader is quitting the town for Darwen.

John Woods, whose family have run a fruit and vegetable stall on the three-day market for 21 years, said he felt ‘disappointed and let down’ by the council.

Next spring Blackburn’s new market opens in the ground floor of the £66million Mall extension.

But there will be no three-day market in the new facility.

Mr Woods and his wife Cathy, 39, said they felt forced to move because of the higher rates being charged and the extra opening times demanded.

The stall will move at the end of October.

He said: “We’ve been fobbed off and will be sad to see the market go.

“I feel let down and disappointed in the way we’ve been treated.

“Two generations of my family have run this stall and our customers are heartbroken to see it go.”

Regular customer Blackburn MP Jack Straw said he was ‘really sad’ to see him move on.

Mr Straw said he would be happy to meet Mr Woods to discuss his situation.

He said: “I’m really sad John has decided to move because I happen to be one of his customers.

“I know him very well and I was trying to help him see if it was possible for him to move into the new market.

“It’s not for me to second guess John’s commercial decisions, but I will sorely miss him.

"He is one of a number of tradesmen in the three-day market supplying high quality, fresh produce.

“The Mall is the right place for the new market.”

No-one was available to comment from the council over Mr Woods’ departure.