TRADERS, shoppers and councillors are rallying behind their popular town market as part of a national scheme.

As part of Love Your Market fortnight, people involved with the weekly Rayleigh market are celebrating its success.

The event, which is running over the next two weeks nationally, is looking to mark the contribution of markets around the UK to the vitality of towns.

Town council chairman Eddie Dray said he loves the market and believes bringing it to a more central location, having previously been held in the car park opposite the Holy Trinity Church, has increased its popularity.

Mr Dray said: “I think having it here has brought back the market town feel which Rayleigh had in the past which is a great atmosphere to have.

“It is also supporting the community by giving them more choice of where to shop and assisting local traders by giving them a place to sell.

“What is the most positive thing for me though is the amount of shoppers we get coming to the market each week, as it is always packed.”