TRADERS in Hereford city centre claim they are facing ruin and are blaming council work to improve the area.

Work to repave the Eign Gate area is being blamed for a massive loss of business that traders say is set to force many of them to the brink of closure.

But hopes that Herefordshire Council may be able to help and offer some compensation to beleaguered businesses have been dashed.

Steven Morris, who opened his jewellery shop nine months ago, is leading the traders' bid to get the work rescheduled and to extract compensation.

"We are looking down the barrel and the way that things are going, there will be a lovely paved area and no traders because we will all have been driven out of business," said Mr Morris, aged 37.

"This is my livelihood. My business had been going well but since this work started, it has been a nightmare. I took £300 last week and my sales are 25% of what they were.

"Other shops are being hit even more badly and I know of at least two that are within weeks of having to close down."

At least one shop owner is taking legal advice to see if they have any comeback against the council.

Traders initially welcomed the work to smarten up the Eign Gate area but the joy has quickly turned to tears.

"We have a trench in the middle of the street and JCB diggers obscuring the shop fronts," said Mr Morris.

"They say the work will be finished by October but I don't think this will happen."

He said it was essential the work was completed on time because a quarter of the annual takings in retail come in the weeks before Christmas.

Stephen Oates, head of highways and transportation with Herefordshire Council, said the authority had sympathy with the plight of traders but believed the work would improve the area.

"The work, which is expected to be completed in the autumn, was undertaken after traders and shoppers overwhelmingly gave the scheme their backing after an extensive public consultation process," he added.