Market man Geoff hanging up apron

And now, the chirpy greengrocer is hanging up his apron for good, taking with him lots of happy memories. But the most precious thing the 59-year-old will take away with him is his wife of just 18 months Sue, who he had served fruit and veg to for more than 30 years.

Mrs Gill, aged 49, said: "My mother came here for 40 years and when she passed away, my dad came here. I was always with them and that's how I met him."

Mr Gill began working on the market as a teenager, before taking over the generations-old family business.

But after nearly five decades of 5am starts, Mr Gill said that he was really looking forward to nice long lie-in.

"It will be nice not to have to get up early next week, but a little bit strange too," he said.

"Next weekend we will definitely do something special and memorable to celebrate."

Scores of fellow traders and loyal customers dropped by the stall on Saturday to wish the couple, of Wolverhampton Road West, Willenhall, lots of luck for the future.

Mr Gill said: "I'm definitely going to miss some of it but it will also be nice to have a bit more free time.

"There's a really good crowd down here and you all get to know each other.

"I've been here a long time so I've seen a lot of change over the years.

"It's mainly changes in peoples' shopping habits. People seem to enjoy going to the supermarket more now."

He added: "It has been good but this does feel like the right time to go."