A TOWN centre trader has been forced to stop vital work on stabilising an eyesore building, over fears that scaffolding could cause flooding.

When Ann Clarke took over ‘whichcrafts?’ in Church Street, Barnoldswick, a year ago, planning bosses ordered her to improve a rear stone outbuilding which had been dilapidated for more than 50 years, or risk enforcement action.

To the joy of nearby residents, Mrs Clarke, 60, who runs the shop with her daughters, Stephanie, 34, and Fiona, 33, has invested £40,000 in a regeneration project which began earlier this month.

But work has ground to a halt after the Environment Agency told her to remove four scaffolding poles from Stock Gillans Beck, which runs behind the shop, because they could cause flooding if there is heavy rainfall.

Mrs Clarke said there was nowhere else to put the scaffolding and she is now threatening to scrap the regeneration plans completely.

She said: “All the residents around here were up in arms because pigeons had got in and it was just an eyesore. I’m spending £40,000 of my own money and I’m angry because I’m doing this for the benefit of Barnoldswick.”

Coun Jenny Purcell supports Mrs Clarke. She said: “They’re saying it’s a river at the back but it’s a beck only four inches deep.”

Jonathan Croft, environment agency team leader, said: “If there is heavy rainfall, the poles could prevent water flowing freely down the beck which could cause the water to back-up up stream and cause flooding.”