Desperate market traders are experiencing their "worst Christmas ever" because of council regeneration work, it was claimed today.

Business owners in Southend's York Road Market are struggling to survive due to a lack of customers this festive season.

They place the blame firmly on building work taking place to create a new travel centre that will replace the town's old bus station.

Traders think the work is putting off many shoppers from venturing from the High Street to the market. Some customers have also said they thought the market was closed.

For more details, see today's Echo.