A BITTER new row has broken out over the closure and proposed demolition of Darwen's three-day market.

Former Labour mayor Brian Taylor has accused his Liberal Democrat successor Roy Davies of continually ‘running down’ the town.

The angry spat follows earlier comments by Cllr Davies that traders were deserting the market after six stallholders handed in their notice after transferring to the six-day hall.

Cllr Taylor, controversially ousted half way through his two-year Mayoral term at the last town council meeting, has condemned his successors comments that ‘Darwen is dying’ and borough bosses don’t care.

With Sudell ward ‘s Cllr Davies comments being picked up by national market magazine, Sunnyhurst’s Cllr Taylor said: “His self-serving and politically-motivated comments on Darwen Market reflect very badly on our town.

“Business confidence is a fragile thing and I fail to see how continual running down of the town by Cllr Davies helps anyone.

“Last year, we took the decision to demolish Darwen three day market, a worn-out example of 1970s brutalist architecture that only had 15 traders left, which was slowly but surely sliding into oblivion.

“In November, most of the stalls moved into Darwen’s six-day market and, in the main, trading has been very positive, with various traders reporting that they have doubled their trade over that period.

“Two existing traders are expanding into vacant spaces and we have had a number of queries from potential new traders.

“Contrary to Cllr Davies politically motivated attacks, Darwen six-day market is thriving.”

Cllr Phil Riley, borough regeneration boss, said: “Six traders have left but market stallholders come and go for different reasons, including in one case age.

“Two other traders have decided to expand from one stall to two because they are doing so well.”

Cllr Davies said: “I don’t see what Cllr Taylor and Cllr Riley are complaining about.

"I was just telling the truth.

“Six traders have handed in their notice.

“Darwen’s market and centre is suffering and the Labour bosses in Blackburn town hall don’t care about our town.”