A NEW card reading scheme for a town's market to help customers pay for their shopping digitally has been launched.

Californian card payments company Square has teamed up with the Heart of Darwen and The Darrener social media blog to bring new technology to the town that will increase the number of businesses accepting card payments

A brand new scheme has launched in the historic Darwen Market to help transform it for the digital age.

Up to now 95 per cent of its more than 30 independent stalls only took cash for goods.

The project was officially launched this week with the dedicated site Square.com/Darwen going live and training and sign up sessions taking place for business owners.

Now more than 30 enterprises in and around Darwen and its market are signed up with Square to use its readers which are supplied for free.

Michael Lau from Square UK said: “Darwen Market and town centre has a fantastic range of independent businesses which give the town its character and personality. This scheme will allow shops and market traders to start accepting cards, many for the first time ever. It’s a great example how 21st century technology can help this 19th century market hall to thrive."

Liam Dargan, founder of community initiative Heart of Darwen, said: “After conducting research with The Darrener, we realised many of the businesses in town were still cash-only.

"I approached Square to ask if they would be help by providing their card readers to Darwen’s businesses free of charge. They agreed."