Town council saves 'tiny' market

Town councillors have stepped in to save one of the UK's smallest markets.

The three-stall Friday market in Alford, Lincolnshire, was threatened with closure after the district council withdrew its support.

East Lindsay District Council continues to run the bigger Tuesday market, but wanted to close the Friday stalls.

Jenny Cooper, Alford's town clerk, said: "It is a market town and we have the market charter so we want to keep it going for traders and local people."

"It is a popular market on a Friday with a fish man and flower seller," she continued.

"We want them to stay in the town instead of going to Skegness or Boston."

She said the town is trying to organise a farmer's market.

Darren Wilburn, who runs the Olive Tree Delicatessen in Alford, said the market draws shoppers into the town and helps business by attracting tourists in the summer.