FAMILY-owned businesses in Bury are facing a bleak midwinter after claiming their trade has been decimated by sewer repairs.

Some workers have been laid off as shops in Sunnybank Road have suffered a severe drop in takings.

Vital sewer work by United Utilities means Sunnybank Road has been closed to traffic for ten weeks, running two weeks over schedule.

The road was scheduled to open last weekend and workmen will return in the New Year to complete the project.

Traders complained they were given just two days notice of the closure and had no chance to make contingency plans for the expected drop in trade.

Butcher Peter Maguire, who runs Choice Cuts with his wife and daughter, said: "My Christmas started weeks ago. I have customers who come once a week, once a month and even once a year for their meat and I have lost an awful lot of them. Who knows if they will ever come back? I estimate that I am more than £10,000 down on my takings because of this."

Mr Maguire (60) said morale was extremely low in the shop and he had been forced to make one of his staff redundant.

Neighbouring postmaster, Mr John Mogg, said his staff were normally struggling to cope with demand at this time of year but were experiencing a distinct lull as customers chose to visit alternative post offices.

Family-run business Sunnybank Service Station has also had to lay off an employee. Co-manager Andrew Cunane said at least three families had been hit.