Food traders in Bradford are bracing themselves for a numbers headache in the new year when they are forced to dump imperial for metric.

From January 1 all loose food will have to be measured and sold in kilograms and grams instead of pounds and ounces and shopkeepers say the change will cause big problems for shoppers.

Traders will still be allowed to show the equivalent weights in imperial units as long as the metric figures are the most prominent.

Many stall holders in Bradford's John Street Market have been trying to prepare the public for the change by writing prices in both measurements.

But some, like Fruit World, are waiting until the last minute.

Spokesman Mani Sheikh said: "We are sending our tills off to be converted but we have kept all the prices in pounds for as long as we can to keep confusion to a minimum.

"Consumers don't like change and for the first six months we will put the prices in pounds and ounces as well until people get used to it.

"It's going to be difficult for us as well and we will have to train the staff because customers will be asking them what metric weights are in pounds and ounces."

Keiley Butler, manageress at Cookson's Dalesfarm meat shop, said: "It's an absolute nightmare.

"None of the customers are going to understand it."

But Khalid Mahmood, owner of Solly's Fruit and Veg, has been preparing his customers since the beginning of December by writing prices in metric with the imperial equivalent underneath in smaller print.

"We've only had a couple of complaints so far. Most people seem to be able to cope with it," he said.

In Shipley, Ken Hindley, honorary chairman of Shipley Market Traders' Federation, said: "It's just another nail in the coffin of the small man. It will make a lot of difference to the stallholders because it will cost them a lot of money to change signs and equipment.

"It's all right for big stores who can afford it, but the small trader won't be able to bear the cost.

"That's why the small shops are closing all round us. It's getting harder and harder to make a living."

Shoppers the Telegraph & Argus spoke to had mixed opinions about the switch.

Boyd Cunliffe, from Bankfoot, who was out with his daughter Tyler Jade, said: "Everybody knows there are two pounds in a kilo so they will be able to work most things out from that.

"The only thing is that people are going to think things are dearer because they will see the prices per kilo not per pound."

But 81-year-old Mary Ratcliffe thought she would have problems.

"They want to leave things alone - like they were," she said.

"I will find it very difficult."

Martin Wood, Chief Officer with West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said the change would be the final stage of the metrication process which started in 1965.

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