STALLHOLDERS in Darlington's covered market claim they lost out in the battle to keep their regular customers during the town's first farmers' market last Friday.

Mr Charles Smith, chairman of Darlington retail markets stallholders' association said: "I have heard everyone suffered. Some butchers were 10pc down on their normal Friday takings. One of the fruiterers was £180 down.

"Even one of the smaller stalls, which takes less than £100, was about 13pc down on the day."

The traders claim that town hall officials failed to police the farmers' market adequately.

"There was a chap selling fruit and veg using old scales, which are illegal. When we pointed it out, they just said they would give him a warning. We thought he should have been turfed off."

Stalls selling Dutch bulbs and barcoded leylandii trees were also spotted among local produce and permanent butchers complained that pre-packed meats were not refrigerated.

Some traders had signs saying they would take orders, contrary to an reassurance on that point from Mr Peter Wilson, markets manager.

The association was also angered by the fact that the manager dismissed its fears prior to the event, saying it was being run for the benefit of the town.

"Some people are struggling now to the point of making a decision on just where their future lies," said Mr Smith.

"This is like a double whammy as our trade was already affected by the repairs to the clock tower."

The influx of council officials in the town square for the opening of the farmers' market also upset the regulars.

"They rarely come in here where there are issues needing to be addressed. Our members feel officers just ignore them.

"I have been here 27 years and others have been in the market for 52 years. The present management are the worst we have ever had to deal with. They are totally out of touch."

Mr Wilson replied that any concerns were dealt with promptly and the authority intended to police the events strongly to ensure farmers stuck to the original concept.

He said 60pc from the new income had been used to print 1,000 leaflets handed out to the public, which included information on the regular market. There also had been a competition for a hamper which had to be handed into the covered section.

"About 200 people who possibly had never visited before, brought in the forms. We are a market town and now we have an additional string to our bow," said Mr Wilson.

A customer survey will be carried out at the next farmers' market on November 10.

l Farmers' delight: page 15