THE clock is ticking for the Blandford and District Chamber of Trade after retailers failed to step forward to fill positions left by a retiring leadership.

Blandford's Christmas lights, and representation of traders on projects such as the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, are now at risk.

A sparsely attended annual general meeting at the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion saw calls go unheeded for volunteers prepared to fill vacancies for the posts of president, vice- president and secretary.

Outgoing president Rod Williams, of hardware shop Nixons, criticised the apathetic response of his fellow traders after only three chamber members attended the AGM.

"About 200 invitations were sent out. The situation was laid out as forcibly as it could have been," said Mr Williams.

"The chamber is in mothballs. It is defunct as of now."

But the traders' leader is refusing to accept the demise of the chamber and has vowed to continue the search for a successor for one more month.

"There is a 28-day stay of execution.

"The president, vice-president and secretary will continue to safeguard the chamber's assets," said Mr Williams.

Traders would become isolated individuals without the chamber, Mr Williams warned, and the wider public would also suffer.

"The Chamber of Trade has always been responsible for the Christmas lights. If there is no chamber of trade, there will be no Christmas lights," said Mr Williams.

Blandford Town Council was to be thanked for its support, said Mr Williams.

The Mayor, Cllr Steve Hitchings, told the Daily Echo the district needed to hear the chamber's voice.