TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to ‘legend of Blackburn Market’ Marjorie Lambert who passed away last month aged 84.

She was the fourth generation of the family to run ‘Haydock’s Lingerie’ stall, starting aged 14 on the old market under the Town Hall clock.

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The mum-of-two, married to retired electrician Frank for 64 years, finished work just before Christmas after seven decades as a market trader.

She began assisting her mum Ethel and ended up working for 35 years with her daughter Helen, finally in the new Market Hall below The Mall.

Helen said: “My mum was wonderful with the customers and fellow traders.

“Mum was shrewd businesswoman but people came back because they liked her. She was a market trader to her fingertips.”

Friend of 20-years Pat Livesey, the 72-year-old owner of ‘The Tripe Stall’, said: “Marjorie was a legend of Blackburn Market. They don’t make traders like her any more.”

Jenny Woodhouse, from ‘Sugar Rush’, said: “Marjorie was a lovely woman with time for everyone.”

Mandy Phillips, from ‘Girly Bits’, said: “She was a lovely, warm woman who would help anyone.”

She and Frank, who survives her, celebrated their Diamond Wedding and were thrilled to receive a telegram of congratulations from the Queen at their Mellor home.

Marjorie passed away on September 22 and was remembered at a service at Pleasington Crematorium on October 1. She leaves husband Frank, 83, Helen 50, son David 53 and two grandchildren Thomas, 21, and 20-year-old Katie.