CONTRACTORS have been at work at Bolton's Ashburner Street Market after three stalls were put out of action by a leaking roof. As reported in the BEN, traders were furious when water poured through the roof during Saturday's heavy rain.

Workmen, using high pressure water jets, have scoured the drainage system at the market which recently underwent a £5m refurbishment.

A full inspection of the drains and gutters is being carried out by the council's contractors, John Sisk and Son, who will be checking carefully for any blockages and jetting out the system to make sure everything is running freely.

The council believes the problems on Saturday may have been caused by drains overflowing because they were blocked by builders' rubble from the recent refurbishment works.

A spokesman said: "The rain on Saturday was very heavy but market staff acted very quickly and an electrician was soon on the scene to make sure everything was safe."

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