CAMPAIGNERS say a survey proves there is little support for the proposed pedestrianisation of a town centre street.

And they have urged town hall chiefs to audit their count if they don't believe the findings.

Just four people said they welcomed the plan to shut off Church Street, Blackburn, in a poll of 228 traders -- including market stallholders -- conducted by the Darwen Street Area Traders' Association.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council plans to divert traffic on to a new orbital road skirting around the town centre.

Only people intending to park and shop in the town centre will be allowed along Church Street.

Fleming Square barber Jeff Stone -- who carried out the survey among the anxious traders, many of who fear their livelihoods will be wrecked if the plan goes ahead -- presented the results to Ian Richardson, Blackburn with Darwen's senior traffic engineer, at a meeting held at Never Never Land on Tuesday.

The meeting -- organised by pub supremo Margo Grimshaw -- was arranged to discuss the implications of the plans on night time traders.

But after a confrontation with Mr Stone -- during which the barber threw the ballot papers in the air to prove his point -- Mr Richardson left.

Mr Stone said: "The council continues to say they have the support of the traders. That is nonsense.

"I threw the papers into the air to show the difference between support and opposition for the project."

He added: "We have put no spin on the results. The council can come and audit the papers for themselves. Each is signed and has the name and address of the trader. "Put simply, the plan to close Church Street would have a devastating effect on town centre trade but the council refuses to listen to us."

Margo Grimshaw added: "It is important that we still have a through road in the town centre.

"Every other town has one and I believe forcing the traffic onto an orbital road would mean people would start to pass us by.

"We want to be part of a prosperous town centre and I don't think closing Church Street will help at all."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: "Tuesday's meeting was intended for night time traders to discuss their thoughts on the plans.

"We have held many meetings with the daytime traders and it is quite possible that Mr Richardson felt he couldn't progress any further because Mr Stone's beliefs have been aired many times before.

"We are committed to consulting with people concerned and we will do whatever is best for the town centre."

Pictured are Blackburn with Darwen town centre manager Paul Isherwood (centre) and host Margo Grimshaw chairing the meeting between council and traders with (from the left) Bob Turner from Toplex, Darren Bell from Landscape Services, council transportation manager Ian Richardson, Peter Hobkirk, Bill Mitchell from Briggs Printers and Phil Gibson from the Lighting Centre