LEIGH'S outdoor market stallholders are looking forward to moving to their permanent new site on Monday, ending seven months of heartache.

The traders, who were shunted on to the Gas Street car park to make way for a multi-million pound extension to the Spinning Gate Centre in November, claimed they suffered drastic losses in income as a result of the move.

Some, with years of service to the town, packed up and left, vowing never to return.

Now, the dealers who have battled on, staying loyal to the town, have been rewarded with places at the busy Union Street site.

Spokesman Maureen Maloney said: "Thank goodness the long fight is almost over. We had a raw deal, but we are looking forward to moving to the new prime position, which should hopefully see us get our businesses back on track.

"It has not been easy being tucked out of sight and amidst building work for the past few months, but we'd like to thank those customers who have stayed with us for their loyalty.

"It's been a long, hard, worrying slog over the winter, and we can't believe we're nearly there at last.

"We must also thank councillors Brian Jarvis and Brian Baldwin for their help and understanding, and we hope everyone will come and support us on the new stalls."

The four new kiosks and 28 stalls will be manned for the first time next week, but the opening means changes to the area to accommodate extra shoppers.

The notice board at the top of Union Street is to be relocated in front of the former Co-op building, while the double seats, waste bins, finger boards and bollards are to be removed and re-sited at a later date.

Coun Jarvis said: "The seating area is attractive and well used, but we have to clear it to make way for shoppers and mums with prams, and we appeal to everyone to be tolerant until the new seats are installed. Eventually, there will be more than there ever has been in the precinct.

"We have also asked for a zebra crossing across Gas Street to the indoor market."

"We wish the traders well at their new site. They are moving to a prime spot linked to the principal shopping area."