A MARKET trader, who carried on working after a heart attack, has said a final farewell to fellow stallholders at the market he has worked for almost 20 years.

Bob Barkley - known as The Sweet Man - suffered a coronary six months ago, but returned to Richmond's Indoor Market as soon as he could. He has now decided to call it a day but admits he is still finding it hard to come to terms with his decision.

"It is a sad day for me," he said. "I have lived and breathed Richmond Market Hall for so long it is hard to imagine I won't be coming to work here any more." Mr Barkley first set out his stall in 1982, after spending his £500 savings on sweets to sell at different markets.

Now it seems that sweet peas will be his line as he plans to spend more time in his garden - with a flowerpot among the gifts from fellow traders