A LONG-STANDING town market has been given a facelift thanks to thousands of pounds of funding.

Traders from Colne Market in Market Street have been celebrating after the long awaited improvements were completed.

The front of the market has been spruced up after having a fresh coat of bright red paint and new signage which includes the town’s coat of arms.

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Market traders along with councillors came up with the idea to brighten up the front of the building in order to attract people into the market last year.

The work has now been totally completed in time for the national Love Your Markets fortnight.

Colne Market manager Ian Varley said: “At Colne market, new lighting has been installed inside for a brighter market with new exterior lights at the front.

“It has made the market much lighter and brighter inside and more noticeable from the outside.”

A new illuminated Colne Market sign has been erected and clearer entrance signs have also been put up.

Strategic Director for Pendle Council, Dean Langton, said: “The work will benefit the 25 businesses in the market including cafes, market stalls and shops.”

The improvements to the market follows a number of others made in 2012, funded by £395,000 paid to Pendle Council by Sainsbury’s when they were given permission for their supermarket in the town.

Councillor for the Waterside Ward Dorothy Lord said: “We are pleased with how it looks. We don’t have any figures about the footfall at the minute we are hoping that they will be positive.”