TRADERS' temperatures rose this week as noise from newly installed extractor fans in Leigh Market Hall drowned out sales.

They claim the £20,000 system, installed two weeks ago, is so loud it is damaging health, and custom, as shoppers stay away.

The noise level is so bad that the eight fans have now been switched to half on, half off, on a two-hour rota system.

But stallholders claim the din is still too much and the extractors have made just one degree of difference in the sweltering heat.

Fruit and vegetable merchant Dave West said: "We have to work here all day and are being subjected to a deadly humming noise that is driving us insane.

"Working in these conditions is not ideal. The system has not cooled the hall down and the vibration and noise is atrocious."

On Tuesday, the sweltering traders were so fed up they conducted a census of 52 stalls.

Men's and boys' wear dealer Hilary Rosenfield discovered 23 traders wanted them off altogether, 14 voted for the alternative rota system and only 13 wanted them on.

She said: "It's like being in a aeroplane hanger. We can't talk to customers because we can't tell what they're saying. It's crazy."

Frank Lees, of Leigh Security and Engraving Centre, said: "We have certainly lost customers. It's like a double whammy with the new extension affecting custom as well. It's all come at once."

Mary West, who helps her son Dave on the third generation fruit and veg stall, said: "I've never experienced anything like this, it's awful."

Shoe stall keeper Marlene Kerner said: "It's horrendous, like being in Hayes' mill when it was in full production."

And Kathy Bullen, who sells children's clothes, said: "We've had enough. We're going home with headaches at the end of the day."

A council spokesman said: "The new system was installed at the request of Leigh Market Traders' Association, who wanted something to cool the market hall down.

"This system is operated in many other market halls throughout the country and is also used in 200 B&Q Stores.

"There isn't an extractor fan system in the world that doesn't make a noise.

"Obviously the hall is going to be noisier than it was before, some traders are happy and some are not. However, we don't accept that it doesn't make a difference to the temperature.

"The markets manager will of course meet and listen to the traders' concerns and take them on board."