THE first steps towards the demolition of the three-day market building in Darwen are now underway - amid further recriminations over the controversial decision to axe the facility.

Market traders bombarded senior councillors with further questions over a 'lack of investment' in the three-day market rotunda since it was first built.

They also pointed to the 2,100-plus name petition, marshalled in opposition to the move.

And the borough's new opposition leader, Cllr John Slater, questioned why the authority had not considered allowing a social enterprise to take over the running of the three-day market, before calling in the bulldozers.

"Why do we not give someone this opportunity - if there is no take-up then you would be right - rather than go down the route of demolition, demolition, demolition," said Cllr Slater.

Market trader Brenda Cronshaw said: "You have neglected it and neglected it. You should look around you and see how little money you have spent on this and the rest of Darwen."

Cllr Roy Davies, who represents Darwen's Sudell ward for the Liberal Democrats, questioned where the £800,000 required for repairs to the rest of the market complex would be found.

And Cllr David Foster, the Lib Dem group leader, queried why council consultant Capita's survey showed £127,000 'priority 1' repairs were required, and only £75,000 had been identified for 2017-18.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration executive member, said: "If the 2,000 or so people who have signed this petition had set foot in there then we would not be having this discussion."

He told an executive board meeting that it was "not a sensible use of taxpayers' money" to invest £250,000 in upgrading a "three-quarters empty" market, where the rents had not been raised for around 10 years.

Under recommendations approved by the board, the closure and demolition of the three-day market has now been approved, with authorisation given to the appointment of contractors.

Running alongside this would be a 'relocation strategy' to move existing three-day traders to either the six-day market or annexe, which would also cover any accommodation works necessary to make this happen.