A MARKET trader who has worked on the same fruit and vegetable stall for 65 years is selling the family business.

Walter Cox, 79, has braved all weathers to work at Stockton's twice-weekly High Street market since he was 14, and has never had a holiday.

He started working for previous owners Lumley and Sons straight from school, going on to own the business in partnership with the late George Lumley, before he became sole owner 15 years ago.

Mr Cox and his son, Paul, 48, who works with him on the stall, have decided to sell the business to concentrate on the family's successful market garden and shop in Yarm Back Lane, Stockton.

They will, however, continue to supply the stall's new owner, Andrew Machone.

Mr Cox, recalling his early days on the market, said: "In the old days there would have been about 200 stalls. This side of the town hall was full of nurserymen and market gardeners.

"We used to deliver 150 orders around the town on a horse and cart, and we supplied all the hotels."

The stall's last day under the name Cox's will be on Wednesday.

To mark the change, the Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Bill Noble, presented Mr Cox with two framed pictures of the market in earlier times.

Coun Noble said: "This is my favourite stall - he sells the best Spanish onions on the market.

"I am pleased that Walter will still be supplying the stall, because it would definitely be a great loss if it was to go."

Mr Cox said he would miss the rapport with his customers, but was looking forward to growing the market garden business, and said he had no intention of retiring just yet.

He said: "I never thought I would live to see the day when the shop did better than the stall, but it has for the last ten years, so we are increasing the opening times from two days to five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday.

"It is a case of keeping active and keeping your mind going.

"I have never had a holiday in my life. I just enjoy my work - I love it."