FOR pins and needles, Stan's been the man for more than a quarter of a century.

But after working on Leyland's Towngate market for 26 years, the jolly haberdashery stallholder Stan Blears, pictured, is zipping off to Blackpool to set up a new business.

And fellow kind-hearted market traders said a sad goodbye to Stan with a surprise party, gifts and a cake in the shape of his popular pitch.

Manchester-born Stan has been supplying sewing odds and ends since 1973 and has reeled in the shoppers with his cheeky sense of humour.

Regular customer June Whittle said: "We will all miss him very much. He is always very friendly and always has a smile to brighten up the day."

Market manager Ron Cockin, of Market Initiatives Limited, added: "In the time I have known Stan he's always been very friendly, polite and a pleasure to work with. We are losing one of Leyland's characters and the place will not be the same without him."

As Stan bid farewell to Leyland, shoppers will be glad to know that his pitch still remains and will be run under new management.

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