CUT-PRICE stalls are being offered at Clitheroe Market in a bid to attract new business into the town.

Ribble Valley Council has halved the cost of pitches for its Thursday market, which was introduced in 1999 to complement the existing Saturday and Tuesday markets.

While pitches and cabins on the two traditional market days are almost full, council officers say they still have some spaces on a Thursday - and want to fill them fast.

The move was announced as the Countryside Agency, the Government's rural regeneration body, confirmed it was beginning a study of the market to see what improvements can be made.

The agency is looking at traditional markets to see what lessons can be learnt for other areas, as well as seeing what can be done to improve Clitheroe market's popularity.

The market was badly affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001, which left many people thinking the countryside had been closed off. Now, the 41 cabins, 31 stalls and 12 pitches are almost all full. The half price pitches have been reduced from £13 to £6.50.

James Russell, Ribble Valley Council's environmental health manager, said: "The market has recovered from foot and mouth and is now doing a lot better than other markets in the North West.

"All the cabins are full, but we are offering half price rent on Thursdays to attract more stall traders.

"Trading was strong last year and we hope to build on that success by hosting a series of attractions and entertainment at the market throughout the year."

The launch of the Thursday market in 1999 initially angered regular Tuesday and Saturday traders who said they had other town markets to go to on that day.

But they later admitted that, overall, it was be a trading success.

Previous events including medieval markets and a Christmas craft market attracted an extra 4,000 shoppers each.

The study will include interviewing shoppers both on the market and in the town, and asking traders what they would like to see.

Clitheroe the Future Partnership, which works towards regenerating the town, today welcomed news of the study, describing the market at a 'key cornerstone of the town's economy.'

Richard Jackson, Project Manager for the Partnership said: "Through the interviews with shoppers, market traders and the management team of the market the report will recommend changes which will reinforce Clitheroe as one of the top markets within the North West."

Interviews will take place over the next fortnight.