WIDNES Market will need an extra large cake as it celebrates 140 years.

The award-winning institution was established in 1875 with historic events planned by traders and Halton Borough Council to mark the occasion and combine the past, present and future.

A number of activities including exhibitions, giveaways, a pop-up cinema showing old footage of the town and its people and a market timeline put together by current day traders will be taking place on November 7.

Cllr Ron Hignett, Halton Borough Council's executive board member for the physical environment, said: “The longevity of the market in Widnes is testament to the good value the traders bring to the shopping experience.

"It is a prime retail venue, which adds value to the town and the families it supports.

"Widnes Market represents what the local and regional customers want, good friendly personal service and value for money.”

December 1, 1875 saw the first day of training for Widnes Market in Aldforde Street where it stayed until the new market hall opened at Greenoaks 20 years ago.

At the time, Benjamin Disraeli was Prime Minister, Queen Victoria was on the throne and the first person had swam across The English Channel.

Some of the oldest stalls in the market include Aspinalls, Middlehursts, Marsh Book Stall, Darwin Music Stall, Netta's & Daughter, Maddox, Molyneux and Peggy's/Debbie's.

While over the years stallholders and stall names may have changed along with the goods they sell, traders added the 'trading spirit and business ethic' remains the same.

Events to look out for include a small continuous pop-up cinema, running some clips from the North West Film Archive of events in Widnes including a film of Edward, Prince of Wales, visiting Widnes on November 24, 1932.

Footage also includes the town celebrating the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 and the construction of the Silver Jubilee Bridge, now for more commonly known as the Widnes-Runcorn Bridge, filmed from the start of work in 1956 until shortly after its opening in 1961.