MARKET traders in Darlington have been rewarded for adorning their stalls with festive decorations.

Six traders from the town's indoor and outdoor markets received prizes for the best-dressed market stall.

The competition was revived for the first time in 67 years last year.

The first prize of £100 for the indoor market went to Chris Smith, of A Fine Yarn.

The two runners-up prizes of £50 went to More Good Books and Prest and Villiers butchers.

The winner for the outdoor market was Liz Wardle, who runs the Baby Liz stall.

Keith Leighton, of Premier Pets and the outdoor More Good Books stall, picked up the two runners-up prizes.

Allan Draper, chairman of the Darlington branch of the National Market Traders' Federation, who also runs More Good Books, said: "It's been a very different Christmas. People have definitely left it to the last minute to shop.

"I'm very pleased that the indoor and outdoor markets have made such an effort. The competition is going from strength to strength.

"I would hope that other councils in other towns perhaps start their own competition because it really does make a difference."