BUSINESSES in Farnworth claim they are losing trade because the town's rundown market and gloomy shopping centre is driving custom away.

Plans for a £10 million revamp of the main shopping precinct appear to have stalled - with rumours that Halladale - the Scottish-based private developer which owns the lease - is in discussions to sell it.

Market stalls have suffered at the hands of vandals and many traders have grown disheartened about the neglect and disrepair of the market and relocated elsewhere.

Shopper Eunice Barrick, aged 63, of Regent Walk, Farnworth, said: "I think the market is a disgrace. There is nothing there.

"You used to be able to spend the whole day there but now I can go round it in five minutes

"Given the choice, people will take the bus and go to Bolton or Bury instead."

Callie Comiskey, aged 25, from Kearsley said: "If I can get to Bolton I would rather go there. I think the precinct looks a bit better since they've done some work on it but the market is still abysmal. It's normally half-empty anyway.

"I think Farnworth needs more up-to-date clothes shops and shops which sell children's clothes and toys."

The manager of a newsagents and off-licence on Market Street, who did not wish to be named, said: "The market has gone downhill in the last 10 years.

"We always used to be busier on a market day but that isn't the case anymore. Most of the stalls are empty and the ones that are there are struggling."

Cllr Raymond Stones, who represents Farnworth, said: "The market is going through a transitional phase.

"The two new shop units that were built as part of phase one of the development took longer than anticipated when they discovered a culvert ran under the properties."

Cllr James Lord said: "The refurbishment of the market and the precinct will happen. Phase two of the work will include new public toilets and carrying out work on the frontage of the retail properties.

"Someone is in the pipeline to take over the lease and we've been assured by the council officers involved that this work will happen."

"There has been a lot of focus on developing Bolton town centre but it is about time they started investing money on the outlying towns."

A council spokesman said: "Our plans for Farnworth market are unchanged in that we are continuing to discuss proposals to redevelop the market with Halladale and this would form part of their precinct redevelopment proposals."

A spokesman from Halladale refused to comment.