MARKETS have played a big part in the life of all our Lancashire towns for centuries.

Market charters date back to the Middle Ages, when wares were sold out in the open from carts or rough trestle tables.

It wasn't until Victorian times that the men in charge of our corporations began to build impressive stone market halls, which enhanced public spaces.

The Market House in Blackburn, 186ft long and 109 feet wide, was opened in 1848 and cost £8,000.

It was finished by a campanile style clock tower, which was 72ft high and topped by a time ball, which dropped at 1pm, accompanied by the firing of a gun, made by Messrs W. and J. Yates, engineers of Blackburn, so there were no excuses for not knowing the hour.

It was an unusual artefact for a town such as Blackburn but according to newspaper reports, the markets committee gave the go-ahead because 'We have on more than one occasion pointed out the irregularities of our public clocks, their differences in time, and their non-reliability in the instances where prompt punctuality was an absolute necessity.'

On the first day an impromptu luncheon was given in the council chambers by Councillor Beads, chairman of the markets committee and a toast was drunk, wishing success to the time ball.

A second market originally intended for a fish market was later opened in 1870-72, while there was also a bustling wholesale fruit and vegetable market in later years.

Many Blackburn folk have lamented the loss of these buildings, which were demolished to make way for Blackburn Shopping precinct in the 1960s.

Although a purpose built market was opened in Darwen in 1847, paid for by Eccles Shorrock, the rapid growth of the town, caused by the influx of textile workers, meant it could not meet the needs of the population.

Many families travelled to Blackburn for their requisites and shopkeepers would often pay their tram fare in gratitude.

In 1878 it was decided to buy a piece of land off Railway Road, not only for a market hall, but also a new town hall.

The site, full of decrepit buildings was owned by the Rev Charles Greenway and it was estimated that the market would cost £15,000 and the town hall £35,000.

A year later, however, it was decided to defer the town hall and instead provide accommodation for corporation officials in the market hall and the foundation stone was laid by the mayor Ald William Snape in 1880 - after the River Darwen was diverted into a culvert.

The market opened in 1882, and every building in the town centre was decorated with flags and streamers and tradesmen and mill owners were persuaded to give workers a day's holiday.

There was also a procession through the town, including the police, fire brigade and friendly societies, corporation officials and councillors and the 2nd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers brought up the rear.

* Read more about Blackburn with Darwen's markets at www.cottontown.org.