A MARKET trader who has been running a craft stall for nearly 50 years is set to retire.

June Barlow, 63, first began working on Crafty Ideas at the age of 15 with her dad Edward Rutherford and her sister Carol Ingham when it was in the old three-day market.

The mum-of-two and grandmother-of-five moved into the six-day market nearly 30 years ago.

Now she has made the ‘difficult’ decision to put the business up for sale with the aim of going travelling round the country with her partner Keith Walmsley in their motor home.

Mrs Barlow said she would miss the customers and the atmosphere.

She said:” I’m incredibly sad to be leaving as I have got to know so many people in Darwen over the years. It’s been a difficult decision but it felt right at the same time.

“My customers have become like friends and we’ve had people from as far as Wales come to us.

“I’ve seen different generations come to the stall. It’s amazing how people sometimes come and say their parents used to buy things.

“People’s shopping has changed over the years but I’m so glad the market has kept going because everyone sees each other here and you don’t get the same advice about products online.

“I have loved every second of the job since day one. I don’t really see it as work because I’ve loved it so much.”

The stall sells traditional haberdashery such as buttons, ribbon, wool and sewing equipment as well as knitted clothes such as cardigans and scarves.

Mrs Barlow said she is always been amazed by the amount of different customers she gets.

She said: “So many youngsters seem to be getting into sewing now and working with fabrics.

“It’s a great thing to do and it’s very rewarding seeing what you make at the end.”

Mrs Barlow and Mr Walmsley will continue to run the stall opposite Petals florist until it is sold. It's on the market for £20,000 including stock.

Trish Barnes, who runs Petals, said she had known Mrs Barlow for around 40 years.

She said: “She is just such a lovely lady and she has been committed to the market and the people of Darwen for so long. It’s been a joy to work with her."