CONSULTANTS have been called in to examine the future of market trading in a North-East town.

Indoor and outdoor traders in Darlington have recently expressed concerns that their livelihoods could be at risk due to a slump in trade.

They say the decline in business has been exacerbated by changes to the town centre's traffic system, which have seen bus stops removed from the town's West Row - where customers used to be dropped off outside the Covered Market.

The work is a key part of the borough council's £6.5m Pedestrian Heart project.

The authority believes the controversial scheme will make Darlington a more attractive place for residents and attract extra shoppers from outside the town.

Specialist markets have also been introduced on West Row in an effort to help traders survive the transitional period.

But many small businesses still hold fears for the future, while the National Market Traders' Federation is concerned that the outdoor stalls could be gone by March.

And yesterday, the council announced that it was bringing in consultants to look into future options for Darlington's markets.

A spokeswoman said: "We are developing a brief to give to the consultants to look at our markets.

"The brief will be looked at by representatives of market traders before it goes to the consultants."