TRADERS on Preston's crumbling market say they want to run the premises themselves after branding the council 'incompetent'.

After spending more than two and a half years discussing plans for a joint management scheme between traders and the council, councillors decided last month they wanted to retain total control of Preston's market.

The Preston Market Hall Association had spent more than £29,000 preparing complex business and refurbishment plans, which would have seen the traders control 51 per cent of the market and the council 49 per cent.

More than £4.5 million had been arranged for the refurbishment package by the traders as they prepared to bring the dingy market - described by the traders as 'part of Preston's family silver' - up to standard.

Now their plans have been scuppered after Preston Borough Council decided it wanted to keep control of the market - and invest £1.5 million tidying it up.

The decision has infuriated the traders, who now fear for the future of the historic market.

Norman Young, secretary of the Tenants Association said:

"They initially wanted to get rid of the market all together, then they gave us no choice but to seek a council/tenant partnership.

"Now they have decided we cannot have it. We had planned this refurbishment, which would have created a market which could attract new custom."

Councillor Peter Rankin, leader of the council, said: "Further proposals are been drafted on the funding of the refurbishment."

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