MARKET bosses say they will be 'looking into' the possibility of an outdoor market.

Market manager David Smith said they had discussed the idea of introducing stalls outside the six-day-market in Darwen, but would not be able to put anything in place until next year.

He said: "Our priority at the minute is filling the market.

"There is a lot of development taking place from April with work scheduled to begin on the new event space.

"The site will be under construction until November so it would be difficult to have any stalls outside.

"However it is something we will be thinking about next year

"It's a good idea and something we will definitely discuss."

This comes after M and O fishmongers returned to the Darwen six-market after leaving last year to focus on their shop in Horwich.

Owner Russell Lambert now holds a stall outside the market on Fridays after discussing the idea with market managers.

He said: "We didn't wanted to leave the market in the first place, but we couldn't afford to be away from the shop all week.

"The market manager asked if we wanted to come back and I mentioned that I wouldn't mind doing one day a week.

"The busiest days for us at the market have always been Fridays and Saturdays so it was great for us to be able to come back for the day.

"We have been back two weeks now and it's going really well.

"The reaction from shoppers has been amazing, every customer has welcomed us back."

Mr Russell said he thought an outdoor market would be 'fantastic' for Darwen.

He said:"I think it would be fantastic to have a few stall outside.

"Darwen would do really well with an outdoor market.

"It would be a great way of moving with the times while still keeping the traditional market feel."