THE £7million Accrington market square development is likely to be completed by Easter 2002, it has been revealed.

And market traders will probably be able to relocate from their temporary positions in Broadway to their new position by Autumn next year, according to Nigel Rix, the director of Hyndburn FIRST, the new company responsible for regeneration in the borough. But leader of Hyndburn Council Peter Britcliffe, warned that there would be problems during the building period.

The complex will involve building seven shops and a pub opposite Marks and Spencer in Broadway and a large Wilkinsons store, for general household goods, on the open market site opposite the Market Hall. The open market buildings will be demolished and the stalls and kiosks relocated in new pavilions opposite the Wilkinsons store and beside the Market Hall in Peel Street.

Speaking at an Accrington town centre regeneration board meeting Coun Britcliffe said: "It is not going to be an easy time during the transition but it will be worth it to get this fresh investment into Accrington." Nigel Rix said: "Heated legal negotiations are going on at the moment in relation to the units and the rental offers are increasing for a particular unit because of the demand for it.

"We anticipate work starting in the New Year and the scheme to be completed in time for trading by Easter 2002 rather than Christmas 2001.

"The market traders will relocate from their temporary positions in Broadway to their new positions much earlier than the completion of the scheme -- probably in Autumn 2001."

An exhibition of the plans will be held at the town hall from next Wednesday for three weeks. Planning officers will staff the exhibition from 10am to 1pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to answer questions about the application. All views received from members of the public will be taken into account before a final decision is made by councillors later in the year -- probably September.

The Walker Family Trust, an offshore company owned by Blackburn Rovers chief Jack Walker and his brother Fred, has agreed to finance the scheme.

The future of the development had been in doubt after all the outdoor market traders voiced their opposition. And a Lancashire Evening Telegraph telephone poll revealed that more than 80 per cent of callers did not want it to go ahead.