Crowds flocked to Wolverhampton Airport for the revival of a traditional Saturday market following its closure three years ago.

The airport at Halfpenny Green, Bobbington, held its first market since 2006 on Saturday.

It featured chalets and a marquee with crafts, antiques and a range of collectables. Many customers said they were bargain-hunting because of the recession, while stallholders said they wanted to see the market succeed for the long-term and gave it an early thumbs-up.

The site hosted a hugely popular market for 28 years, but it was shut down by airport bosses in 2002 and then again in 2006, in between a mini-resurrection, amid complaints from residents about traffic.

But LSD promotions, a firm which runs markets on behalf of councils and private developers, agreed to get the site up and running again and booked in more than 150 traders for the re-launch.

The market featured almost everything – from clothing, local farm produce, bric-a-brac and meat to kids toys, fish, birthday cards, perfume and even car washing.

Mike Ottley, who runs Mark Copper Quality Meats, was among the stallholders on Saturday.

He said: “We saw an advert for this market and as we’d never been before, we thought why not give it a try this time round.

“We can’t expect better than this on the first day – the turnout seems pretty decent and I’m optimistic that it will end up a success.”

Fellow trader Marcel Hammon, aged 33, of Flint, North Wales, who was selling children’s toys and make-up, said: “I’ve never been here before either so I thought I’d give it a try.”

Gurdip Dhillon, from Solihull, aged 27, who was selling T-shirts and ladies clothing, said: “I operate at the Bescot Market in Walsall and I’ve got a day job in IT.

“I’m going to give this place a really good go.”

Customer John Haywood, aged 66, of Bearwood, said: “I used to come all the time when it was open before, it was a brilliant market.”

The market runs every Saturday, 9am-4pm, with parking provided on-site.