FERNDOWN traders have been asked to step up to ensure the town's Chamber of Commerce does not fold.

President Richard Blunderfield sent out letters to traders to announce he has resigned from the post. No successor has yet been found.

Mr Blunderfield told the Daily Echo: "I have done two years for the chamber. I think I have done some good for the town.

"I have a business up in Hertfordshire. I only come home Saturdays and Sundays. I can't do it all. I have a family and a life to lead as well."

Mr Blunderfield said if a successor could not be found before the end of the year to lead the chamber it would be passed to Dorset Business, the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to manage.

The Ferndown branch used to have a president, treasurer and secretary but Mr Blunderfield said they now only had a secretary, who would continue at the moment. He said he did not know what would happen to the funds accrued over his time as president, which he hoped to spend on the good of the town, if the Dorset Chamber took over.

Ferndown mayor Cllr Lesley Dedman said it would be sad if the chamber was lost.

"Many people have worked very hard to ensure that Ferndown has a thriving shopping centre, including the Chamber of Commerce," she said.

The Chamber's three-day Continental Christmas market, running the length of Victoria Road from November 29 will go ahead, and the town's Christmas lights will be officially switched on, on the same day.

Cllr Dedman said she was hopeful that if the town could maintain a strong group of traders, it could apply for Business Improvement District scheme funding for revitalisation projects for the town.

Dorset Business chief executive Peter Scott said he would discuss the issue with Mr Blunderfield.