SKIPTON Market has a fine heritage.

Its history dates all the way back to medieval times; a Royal Charter granted consent from King John for the Lord of the Honour of Skipton Castle to hold a fair in the High Street.

Over the centuries the event has gradually developed into the modern market that we see today four days a week, and which draws residents of the town and from further afield to its attractions.

The Christmas market is particularly attractive, bringing festive atmosphere and a high quality shopping offering to the thousands of visitors who come to enjoy it.

So the praise which the regular market and the Christmas event earned at the recent Great British Market Awards in Birmingham was good to hear, especially the festive version winning the ‘Best Speciality Market’ title.

Congratulations to the team behind putting on the markets for the well deserved accolades; their efforts were clearly well worthwhile.

The award, coupled with general rising visitor figures to the area providing increasing impetus to the local economy, as we also report on in today’s paper, prove the region is clearly doing a lot right when it comes to catering for its ever-increasing number of visitors.