WIDNES Market celebrated its 140th birthday in style at the weekend.

Entertainment from the past were brought back to life to capture the historic milestone.

The Mayor Cllr Ellen Cargill launched the special event on Saturday the ringing of the market bell, an artefact revived for this very special occasion.

The bell used to signify the end of trading.

The Acro Chaps and Silvermoon Jazz Quartet entertained customers throughout the day with nostalgic tunes and daring physical feats.

Musicians performed a selection of songs from the Edwardian age to the current charts.

Pete Harrop from Silvermoon Jazz Quartet said: “We had loads of fun and got a good response from shoppers.

"We had a lovely day meeting people and chatting to older folk about their memories of the songs we played.”

Information boards featured news events from around the world in the 140 years since the market opened.

A small cinema screened clips from the North West Film archive of the market and various historic events including a film of Edward, Prince of Wales visiting Widnes in 1932.

Halton Cllr Ron Hignett, board member for the physical environment, said Widnes Market has been at the heart of the town for the last 140 years, proving that great service, quality and prices will never be beaten.

He added: "I would like to congratulate the market, its traders past and present and our customers for the continued support for Widnes and Halton during three centuries."

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

When the market opened, Queen Victoria was on the throne and Benjamin Disraeli was prime minister.

Some of the oldest stalls include Aspinalls, Middlehursts, Marsh book, Darwin music, Netta’s and daughter, Maddox, Molyneux and Peggy’s/Debbie’s.