SHOPPERS in Stockton town centre were greeted with random acts of kindness from the town’s traditional market traders.

They came in many different forms from a free bunch of bananas, a cup of tea, vouchers for Stockton’s Splash leisure centre, cinema tickets or a meal for two.

The celebrations were part of Love Your Local Market fortnight which has been taking place nationally and across Stockton Borough from May 14 to 28.

In Billingham and Thornaby traders decorated their stalls with bunting, balloons and gave away badges and free Love Your Local Market hessian bags.

Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: "We called on residents and visitors to show their love for Stockton Borough’s markets and in return it was great to see them receiving a special thank you from the traders in the form of a random act of kindness.

“Stockton is a town with a strong markets heritage and it’s important we build on this tradition as part of Stockton Town Centre’s transformation. That’s why we are further developing what our markets offer through both the traditional market and our extensive programme of specialist markets.”

To find out more visit www.rediscoverstockton.co.uk or www.loveyourlocalmarket.org.uk