Traders at Barrow Market bid a fond farewell to two sisters who dedicated 50 years to their business and the community.

Susan Dunn and Carole Debroize of Dunns Trimming Stall received a heartfelt send-off from their fellow traders, as they retired on May 31.

The Barrow Market stalwarts were showered with gifts in recognition of their half-century contribution to the popular Market Hall.

The Dunns Trimming Stall, a haberdashery and crafts business, was a fixture from the market's inception in 1971.

Having initially worked as Saturday girls for the previous owner, Mike Richardson, in the old market, Ms Dunn took over the business with her mother, Doris, in 1974.

They moved to the new Market Hall and have been a part of its backbone ever since.

The market manager Jacqui Armstrong said: "Susan and Carole have always been together and always dedicated to the market, building up a loyal customer base and making lots of friendships along the way.

"They were the mother hens of Barrow Market, always making time to chat to their customers, supporting fellow traders and being a safe place for lonely people in our community to pop in and see a friendly face.

"We will miss them both dearly but wish them all the very best for the future."

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Expressing her feelings on their retirement, Ms Debroize said: "It's never been just a job to us, it's been a pleasure and we've been very lucky over the years.

"It is going to be hard because we have been here a lifetime.

"But we have hobbies and we will be calling back in and will keep in touch."

Ms Dunn added: "The staff in the market have been great.

"We've seen a lot of changes but made so many friends among our fellow traders and customers over the years.

"We give everybody all our love and wish everybody all the best for the future and hope the new market is a success.

"Barrow has always had a market and needs a market."

Arrangements are currently being made for Barrow Market traders to move into temporary accommodation, with the Market Hall set to undergo renovation.

Traders will occupy refurbished units in The Mall, facing on Dalton Road and some will settle temporarily in special units in the outdoor market in Portland Walk.

However, no firm timeline for the move has been released yet.