TRADERS have launched a campaign urging people to 'Buy Darwen' and keep money in the town.

The move was prompted by businessman Ashley Reece, 30, who has lived in Darwen all his life.

As he drove along the M65 recently, Ashley was infuriated by the first impression he had of the town -- and it spurred him to do something about it.

Today other businesses and councillors backed the campaign. But they were reminded that big franchises such as Sainsbury's do a lot for the town and can exist alongside traditional businesses.

Ashley said: "Baps 99p from McDonald's. That's the first thing you see and that's terrible for Darwen. We have lots of big franchises being developed in and around the town centre that take business away from local people and that's just not on."

Ashley stopped buying from the town's nationwide stores months ago and said: "Darwen has loads of fantastic little businesses, but they are all slowly closing down because they just can't survive and then they die.

"My parents are a prime example. My mum owns a florist shop in Darwen and she feels the same."

Ashley, who manages national construction company, Corporate Development, in the India MIll Centre, will create and distribute leaflets himself, informing the town's businesses of the need to keep things local. He said: "I've lived here for 30 years now and I've thought about moving out because Darwen has changed so much. But I won't do it and it's time for me to put my foot down and say enough is enough.

"We need to restore pride in this town and get it back to how it used to be."

Market traders of Darwen aired their support for the new campaign.

Tony Henry of Henry's Electrical DIY stall said: "It's a must for people to buy locally.

"When you have people going somewhere else for meat or other products, that will generally mean less people come through the door and that will affect us.

"It works in a circle and we all depend on each other in here to a certain extent."

The 34th Grotto, seller of ornaments, hair accessories and general bric-a-brac, has seen a general decline. Terry Guy, shop worker, said: "People don't come in anywhere near as much as they used to. It's nothing like it used to be."

Rowles Family Butchers owner, Gillian Rowles, said: "People should shop local or the market will have nothing left.

"If people shop at Sainsbury's, they park over there and then they won't bother coming into town, they just drive home."

Coun Dave Hollings, Sunnyhurst ward, also gave his full backing to the campaign.

He said: "I think it's an excellent idea and I support it whole-heartedly. I do a lot of my shopping in Darwen and it's clear that, if you look hard enough, you can find anything you want there."

Sainsbury's store manager Julie Smith insisted the branch did a lot of work for local charities in Darwen and did a lot to help the town thrive.

She said: "We give a lot back to the local community and we have contributed to an art project in Darwen and the metal ball in the middle of the market.

"We give a lot to charity and we have supported the Darwen Gala and Darwen Music Live. We are approached daily by charities and we do a lot."

Sally Haworth, chairman of the Darwen Civic Society, said that small local businesses and national companies could co-exist.

She said: "We have to remember that the people of Darwen wanted a Sainsbury's in their town and it was an asset to the place.

"It's excellent and it's very handy for parking but I think the market is equally important and I buy from both."