DARWEN traders claim takings have halved since the town's road works started - and say the work has not been completed on time.

The traders said that each day the traffic system, which was due to be completed last Friday, was delayed, hundreds of pounds was being lost because shoppers went elsewhere.

The £1.4million traffic scheme is part of the wider Darwen Town Centre Masterplan, drawn up after it was discovered nitrogen dioxide levels were exceeding government levels because of standing traffic on the A666 at rush hours.

It aims to improve traffic flow from the junction of Bury Street and Duckworth Street through to the Circus.

Drivers and shoppers have already voiced their concerns and now traders fear they will not be returning to the town centre.

Brenda Cronshaw, of Brenda's Collectables in the market, said: "This entire traffic scheme has become a nightmare. The situation seems to have been made worse.

"We have suffered badly and now it is not finished on time it makes us all very angry. Shoppers are sick of the traffic and are choosing to avoid the town.

"We are not convinced that when the system is finished it will be much better anyway. And people are so annoyed about it all they will lose patience.

"We have lost 50 per cent of our takings and we need that rectifying now."

She said many store holders were also against the new Academy, proposed for the town centre, which they said would create more traffic problems.

She added: "How are all these people supposed to get to the Academy? They will create more traffic than ever before."

Traders fear the work will not be done by weekend in time for the Christmas lights switch-on Saturday, with Coronation Street's Steve McDonald, actor Simon Greg.

Gill Kirkham, of Darwen Shop and Business Association, organising the event said: "People are worried about the traffic and whether it will put off shoppers coming at the weekend.

"We will seriously miss out if this goes wrong."

Coun Andy Kay, borough executive member for regeneration, assured traders that the market square would be ready in time for the Christmas lights switch-on.

He added: "We realise shoppers and visitors have experienced some difficult but necessary disruption and we are working with town centre shops and businesses to ensure record Christmas trading."