GREAT Torrington Pannier Market is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking its last major refurbishment.

The Victorian market, which was built in 1842, was renovated and given a new roof in 1999 by the Great Torrington and District Community Development Trust, who manage the market.

To celebrate the birthday, 14 The Gallery, an artists' co-operative based in the market, is organising an arts and craft sale.

The celebrations will take place on Wednesday, August 26, from 10am until 5pm, with the town's mayor, Sue Mills, cutting a birthday cake at 11am.

The market is home to shops selling antiques, games, art, sweets, clothing and sewing kit.

Janet Jopson is one of the 14 local artists that runs 14 The Gallery in the market selling original glass, pottery, prints and jewellery.

She said: "The market is historical, fresh and full of local produce. It has a lot of interesting traders and the atmosphere is very nice. People can browse in a relaxed manor with no pressure.

"We get in a mix of tourists and local trade and the market is usually buzzing on a Friday.

"There are constant changing displays, always leaving the market looking fresh and colourful."

Angus Symons works in the market in his mum Lorna's shop, Fiddlesticks.

He said: "The market is very community-based with lots of regulars — you know most of the people who come in — but it also brings in lots of tourists and a lot of passing trade from the car park.

"I think the market is essential for the locals."

Chris Short has been running Times Past, an antique shop in the market for four years.

He said the shops in the market have cheaper rent than those on the high street, which makes it appealing to traders.

He said: "The market has a good catchment area and the car park brings trade in.

"Everywhere is suffering at the moment because of the recession, but it would be a loss not to have the market."

He hopes in the future the open air market will be used more and fulfil its potential.

Sheena's Sweetshop has been based in the market for two years.

Owner Sheena Pledger said she moved into the market because the rent was cheaper than in the High Street as an initiative for starter businesses.

She said: "We mostly get tourists in and I think the market could be better used by the local people.

"But, I have done well out of the shop here.

"Everybody in Torrington seems to like sweets and our old fashioned style brings back memories for the local people."

One man who lives in Torrington and uses the pannier's cafe everyday also thought the market was under utilised locally, but was good for the tourists.

He said: "A lot of the space out the back is only used three days a week and it looks empty, but we certainly don't want to lose it — it is important to the town."