TRADERS who line a main route into Burnley today backed plans for investment and said: "Something needs doing to help us."

Businesses in the Duke Bar area of Colne Road, Burnley, are to be tackled as part of Burnley Borough Council's local plan because of their decline.

The stretch of road is seen as a "gateway" to the town and the authority is now preparing a development strategy for the area to address retail, environmental and traffic problems to try and revive trade.

Many shop premises on the road are currently disused and in a state of disrepair.

Rita Walsh, secretary of Burnley and District Chamber of Trade, has backed the move.

She said: "If we have funding specifically targeted at the businesses in order to upgrade the area things will improve overall.

"There are quite a lot of good strong businesses in the area which are surrounded by a lot of empty properties. It could become a lively retail area.

She added: "Investment has worked in the past. If you look at Hammerton Street that used to be dreadful but now it is up for awards."

And traders on Colne Road agree.

Ijaz Butt, managing director of 3B systems computer store, said: "Our business has come not from people passing-by the shop but from other ways such as the Internet.

"There is a big population here yet people go elsewhere, even to other towns like Blackburn.

"It would be good to have something to attract the shoppers. But I don't know what that strategy could be."

Michael Clough, who has been a butcher for twenty years on the road, said: "Something needs doing to help the businesses here.

"There used to be a bit of everything here but now there is no variety in the shops. I wish I knew the answer."