TRADERS who feared urgent repairs to a town centre indoor market would wipe out their takings in the run-up to Christmas could be back in business as early as Saturday.

Wyre Forest District Council property officers said the department had "pulled out all the stops" to try to ensure early completion of work which last week closed the market in Worcester Street, Kidderminster.

Crisis struck when a seven-and-a-half-tonne delivery vehicle backed up the main entrance ramp and accidentally snapped a roof crossbar.

The market opened the day after the incident last Thursday but it was closed a few hours later for safety reasons on the advice of fire officers.

Earlier forecasts that specialist contractors would need at least until December 21 to put the matter right came as a blow to the 70-or-so traders on Thursdays and Saturdays who look to Christmas to make up for lean times at other periods in the year.

Leader Mike Oborski said the district council was also aware of the disappointment to the 400 shoppers a day, many of whom are elderly or on low incomes and depend on market goods at cheaper prices.

Council cultural, commercial and leisure services manager Keith Burgess said after a meeting on Tuesday there was a real prospect of opening on Saturday using an alternative design with steel.