STALLHOLDERS claim their livelihoods are under threat by raiders who have targeted their town centre market.

The traders at Accrington's market said criminals trashed stalls and escaped with stolen goods which included a charity bottle containing £200.

Norman Oliver, who runs a sock stall at the market in Broadway with his wife Linda, said: "We've been broken into twice in the last 10 days

"They climb on to the roof and break the windows to get in.

"If it goes on like this we soon won't have our livelihoods left."

Among the items which have been stolen are computers, mobile phone covers, watches and clothing.

"They just seem to be breaking in with impunity," he said. We're worried that one of these nights they'll fire it."

The market, which is guarded by security shutters and CCTV cameras, is to be demolished in August as part of the town centre redevelopment.

Nigel Rix, director of Hyndburn First, the area's regeneration agency which is working in partnership with Hyndburn Council on the refurbishment, said: "The break-ins are highly regrettable, but unfortunately the town centre has been targeted by thieves seeking commercial goods.

"The security of the present market is a matter for the police and the council but we will co-operate in whatever way we can."

And he pointed out that CCTV cameras had recently been upgraded to give greater coverage of the whole of the town centre.

Hyndburn Council's market officer Karen Hall said stallholders were warned not to leave goods on the premises overnight even though the market had security shutters.

She said: "The council is working with police town centre teams to keep a close eye on the premises, and the CCTV camera operators are being asked to be particularly vigilant."

Market traders will move to temporary stalls and kiosks in Broadway from the end of June in advance of the demolition men moving in.

Police are investigating the incident.