STALLHOLDERS at Bolton's Market Hall have hired a top lawyer to advise them in their fight against redevelopment plans.

The move came as David Wood, the leader of the traders at the Grade II listed building, warned that the fight to stop the £30 million scheme to transform it into a modern mall would go on.

His group is looking at launching a legal challenge in the High Court to overturn Bolton Council planning committee's decision to approve the plans or to prove the council had a conflict of interest in dealing with the application.

The proposals by developer Agora will see the Market Hall redesigned to accommodate High Street chains and a two-storey glass fronted extension will be built off Bridge Street to house a new restaurant.

But traders are opposed to plans to cut back the number of stalls made available to them in the new development - from 70 to 25 - and have dismissed the company's offer of relocation for those who cannot be accommodated in the plans as unsatisfactory.

Councillors on the committee overwhelmingly backed developers plans to transform the building last month despite opposition from traders and around 80,000 shoppers who signed a petition against the plans.

Members of the committee said the development was vital for the future of Bolton town centre.

Mr Wood said: "The traders have been pretty depressed since the decision but we will not give up.

"We feel the council has ignored the wishes of the people of Bolton and we are looking at our options.

"Our members want to step up the fight and this is what we intend to do."

He confirmed a barrister had been hired and was being paid for from the dues of members of the Market Hall Traders Association.

Mr Wood added: "It is important that we get proper legal advice before making our next move.

"The people of Bolton do not want to see this wonderful building altered in this way and the loss of this unique Market Hall."

The development plans have been devised by Agora, who own the Victorian Hall, and the council who have a long term lease on the building.

Under the proposals, the Market Hall will continue to trade as it is until 2006, when the current stallholders' leases expire, and it is anticipated that work on the new scheme will begin in the summer of that year.