A Bingley businesswoman has shut up shop before work on the new relief road starts.

Pauline Harrison, pictured left, who ran Clandestine on Main Street until yesterday, decided to close after four years before any disruption from the new project could affect her business.

Mrs Harrison, 46, said there had been a slump in sales and after much consideration she had decided not to renew the lease on the premises where she sells lingerie.

Although plans are afoot for consultation with traders to input ideas for the development of the town centre as work on the £47.9million scheme is carried out, it is too late to help her shop.

"The new road is going to take three years and it is too long to carry on. I have a lot of regular customers and people who want to support shopping in Bingley but the precinct has nothing to bring people in to shop in the town.

"You can't blame people for getting in the car and going to places like Meadowhall.''

Mrs Harrison has been appointed manageress of the British Heart Foundation charity shop in Keighley.