Martin Heald opened the Five A Day fruit and vegetable shop on Hough Lane in November but says the competition from the seven supermarkets in the area and the wet summer have combined to force him to close.

The businessman says summer is traditionally a busy time for grocers as shoppers flock in to stock up on summer salads but the dismal weather has put paid to all that.

Mr Heald says he now has 'grave doubts' about South Ribble Council's multi-million pound plans to regenerate Hough Lane.

He said: "For the last seven weeks the weather in Leyland has been little short of atrocious, day in day out. This of course has turned Hough Lane into a modern day version of a ghost town.

"Potential shoppers, regulars and passing trade made their way to any one of the seven supermarkets located around Leyland.

"Usually during the summer months a greengrocer can expect to do very well selling salads, barbecue vegetables and soft fruits, but the desertion of Hough Lane during the constant downpours all but decimated our business."

Martin, who set up Five A Day with partner Jennifer Bowers, has questioned how independent businesses are meant to survive when up against the power and appeal of the supermarket giants.

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