SMALL traders in the town centre, fighting to save their businesses from the Brunel Centre's expansion plans, have collected more than 5,000 signatures in support of their campaign.

Nearly 30 shops in Havelock Street and Morley Street are threatened with demolition under a £150 million redevelopment scheme being proposed by Westfield, the joint owner of the shopping centre.

The company lodged an outline planning application in May with the scheme being modelled on the Oracle in Reading.

The revamp would span much of the pedestrianised area from Wharf Green outside the House of Fraser to the top of Regent Street as well as extending the Brunel Centre across Havelock Street.

The threatened businesses in the area formed an action group in July called Havelock and Morley Street Traders' Association Hamsta which has been in discussions with the Australian multinational.

George Norcliffe, owns Swindon Travel and is chairman of Hamsta.

He said the results of negotiations with Westfield will be announced next week but the campaign to raise public support is ongoing.

"The result of the talks will not be divulged until we make a joint public statement next week because we don't want to disturb the balance of negotiations," he added.

"We have a two sided argument. From our own trading point we want to stay in business but we also believe we offer the shoppers of Swindon a unique street. If it goes under concrete, there won't be any specialist shops left in the town centre.

"We are resigned to the fact that something is going to be demolished but I am not taking the inevitable view, there are compromises possible.

"Our other concern is that traders are relocated into suitable premises at suitable rent. There is no point moving them to Old Town if their trade is in the town centre."

Gary Capon, owner of Cloth Cabin in Morley Street, is also a member of Hamsta.

He said: "The petition is going very well. We are not in the big league with Marks and Spencer or Next but we do provide a good service.

"I don't think for one minute we are going to stop the development, especially with the way Swindon is expanding.

"Which just leaves us to ask how much space is there going to be left for people like us?

John Burton, development director at Westfield, said: "We are not making any further comment until we have reached an agreement with Hamsta and Swindon Council."