Since April, the 500-year-old markets have been losing on average two traders a month as retail trade slumps across the town.

However, established traders at the markets say they are 'positive' about the future ahead of a planned £250,000 refurbishment scheme, which is due to start in the coming weeks.

John Brennand, who has run a ladies clothes stall on the market for 37 years, said: "We have hit the bottom and we are on the rise.

"There is no doubt about it things are tough but the market is certainly moving in the right direction and we are very positive about the future.

"There are a lot of small markets around the country that will probably fold in the next year or two as things get harder for people but Chorley Market is definitely not one of them.

"We have had some stalls close but we are filling the spaces all the time and we are getting record numbers of casual traders who want to come to the market."

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