DISGRUNTLED market traders are to meet their MP in a bid to reduce rents.

Traders at Darlington's outdoor market are claiming that work on the town's multi-million pound Pedestrian Heart scheme is costing them vital business.

They hope to persuade MP Alan Milburn to back their attempt to get a reduction in rent during the building work.

Although the traders are supporting the Pedestrian Heart scheme, they feel that while building work is being carried out, trade is being driven from the town centre.

The traders believe changes to the town's traffic system, such as the removal of bus stops from High Row, have shifted trade away from the Market Place and towards Northgate.

Alan Draper, whose family have worked on the market for 30 years, is the deputy chairman of the National Market Traders' Federation.

He said some traders are having to reduce the size of the pitches so they can cover the cost of their rents.

Mr Drapers said: "We need major rent reductions, we need them to halve the rents. If they knock a few pounds off it won't mean anything.

"It's not all negative. In a year's time when the scheme is finished and the market's going to be in front of the covered market, it's going to make a difference.

"There's light at the end of the tunnel, but at the minute it's a very long tunnel."

A council spokesman said the Pedestrian Heart work would inevitably lead to some disruption but would ultimately lead to a more attractive town centre.

He added: "Market traders have come to us with a number of requests and we are considering those to see what we can do.

"The council has also introduced specialist markets on West Row in recent weeks, which have proved hugely popular and were warmly welcomed by traders."

A spokeswoman for Mr Milburn said he was looking forward to hearing from the traders at the meeting on Thursday.