A TRADER has said she burst into tears after market bosses refused to reduce her opening hours to care for her sick mother.

Elaine Ryan, who runs Glorious Gifts stall on Burnley indoor market, asked to change her hours to 10.30am to 3pm to care for her 87-year-old mother who cannot cope on her own.

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Council bosses said they could not allow the alternation because it would have an impact on the market.

Mrs Ryan, 57, who was recently fined £100 for not opening on a Sunday leading up to Christmas, said she was very sad the council would not allow her to reduce her hours.

She said: “At first I was upset, I cried.

“After time I became angry because it was just a straight no and there was no compassion and no room for negotiation.

“If they came back to me and said we could come to an arrangement that would have been much better.

“My mother has gone back to her home on her own and family members now take it in turns to look after her.”

Cllr Sue Graham, executive member for regeneration and economy on Burnley Council, said: “We have been very sympathetic with Mrs Ryan but she did sign a legal contract stating she would work the hours.

“The council is trying to run a business and the market is currently operating at 83 per cent capacity and it needs its traders in there.

“People visit the market at the start of the day and expect traders to be open, otherwise they will not come back.

“Part of her lease meant she would have to open on three Sunday’s before Christmas, but she asked to not work them because of her mother’s illness, this normally attracts a fine.

“I waived the fine for failing to open on a Sunday before Christmas because her mother was unwell.”