Market merchants in a once-bustling UK city say they're being terrorised by youths - who're setting stalls on fireplace, stealing and abusing individuals.

Hyde Market, in Greater Manchester, underwent a £1.2million improve in 2012 - however simply over a decade on individuals working there consider the market is in decline and “going down”.

One nameless stall proprietor told the MEN that folks have been being “terrorised” by youths - and claimed there was nothing left in Hyde besides “takeaways and charity shops”.

He added:  “They come on bikes and do wheelies and sit on the stalls and smoke weed overtly. They’re terrorising all people.

"It happens every day. That’s why the market is empty. It’s gone worse over the last year.”

In a terrifying incident in late August video emerged of a group of balaclava-clad motorbike riders armed with a baseball bat and bolt cutters causing havoc at the market - held on the street where notorious serial killer Harold Shipman once had a GP practice.

Umair Hussain, who has worked at the market for 15 years, said he used to open six days a week, but that he now gets “too much hassle”.

He told the MEN: “I have regular customers who don’t come anymore. It puts people off coming to the market.”

Mr Hussain said youths had stolen stock and thrown abuse at him - and that stalls at the market had been set on fire.

He added:  “The council should see what is going on and try to help but they don’t.  We get no protection.”

Others feel that more should be done to provide opportunities for the youths.

Keith Millward, who owns dance school Allegiant Studios, said:   "It's straightforward to level the finger and say there are such a lot of youths in Hyde however what are they going to do? People say you are a legal, you are no good, however there is not any assist anymore.”

He added:  "You can't expect kids to create their own opportunities if they don't know how to. People say they need to get jobs but where or how?"

A Tameside Council spokesperson stated: “We’re helping Greater Manchester Police with their ongoing investigation into an incident at Hyde Market. 

“The force put in place a Section 60 dispersal order and increased patrols in the area over the weekend.

“We work hard to support stallholders with any issues and are always happy to discuss any concerns with them.”