BELEAGUERED traders last night delivered a plea for council chiefs to help Darlington preserve its centuries-old market heritage.

Many market businesses have suffered a decline in trade, particularly since a controversial scheme to pedestrianise parts of the town centre began.

The National Market Traders' Federation is concerned that the outdoor market could be forced to pack up next year if help is not forthcoming.

And traders in the indoor market hall are calling for significant investment to encourage customers to return.

Last night, borough council leader John Williams said the authority was doing everything possible to strengthen Darlington's markets.

He said the council looked forward to working with traders and other organisations on the matter.

"The Pedestrian Heart scheme was welcomed by the majority of market traders and it has been proven throughout the country that markets perform better in pedestrianised areas," he said.

"Traders return week after week to Darlington's markets, and there are also many temporary traders who come and sell.

"The market has changed over the years and must continue to evolve. As long as traders work with us to promote their businesses, the town will be able to meet the demand for a market."

But traders painted a different picture, saying they had faced serious troubles in recent weeks - particularly since work began on the £6.5m pedestrianisation project.

Loss of trade ranging from ten to 70 per cent has been reported.

Changes to the traffic system in the town centre have taken bus stops away from West Row - meaning customers can no longer be dropped off and picked up from directly outside the indoor market.

Also, the market hall has not seen a major interior refurbishment since 1979.

The monthly outdoor farmers' market, which featured about 20 stalls at its peak but now has only a handful, is said to be the only one in the region that is struggling.

Campaigners are calling for action, particularly to return much of the covered market to its origins as a food hall.

They also want substantial investment in the building to be backed up by an unprecedented marketing strategy, promoting its qualities throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Alan Draper, of the National Market Traders' Federation, said the outdoor stalls were suffering badly.

"If we don't get any help, it could be all over by March, which is very sad," he said.

Mr Draper welcomed the prospect of stalls eventually being located on West Row, as well as the Market Square, as part of the Pedestrian Heart project - but that is not due to be finished until spring 2007.

He said: "It's going to be a long year. Darlington market used to be in the Premier League, but now it's in the Conference.

"I don't personally blame the council, it's just that things are changing."

Robin Blair, of the Darlington Market Traders' Association, said: "The market is hitting a time in its life where it is under threat. We're not dying, but we're saying to people 'pop in and see us - we need to see you'."

Conservative councillor Jim Ruck said: "I think there should be a thorough investigation, as the market seems to be demoralised at the present time.

"We don't need a political battle over this, that would get us nowhere. But we do need to sit down and discuss this rather quickly."