A FOUR-DAY celebration to highlight the relaunch of a market will take place next month.

About £250,000 is being invested in Stockton Market this year. It will improve the layout, add branded canopies and provide a cleaner environment.

A market fair will take place from September 12 to 15 and there will be a host of activities aiming to entertain people of all ages.

The launch takes place on the Wednesday, with a market fair hosting more than 70 stalls.

In addition, there will be face-painting, balloon-modelling, traditional children's attractions and rides.

On the following day, a new film celebrating the past, present and future of the well-known market will be shown on an open-air screen throughout the day.

A craft fair takes centre stage on the Friday, in Stockton Parish Church, between 10am and 4pm.

Saturday will take Stockton taken back to 1881, and the market fair will return to its roots.

As well as traders in fancy dress, there will be old-fashioned fairground rides, hoopla, hopscotch, skipping, spinning tops, penny farthings, jesters, jugglers, stilt-walkers and donkey rides.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "The market has been a regular feature of Stockton High Street for hundreds of years and it holds a place in the hearts of the people of Stockton. The council recognises the importance of the market and the investment into the upgrade can only help to keep it flourishing for many years to come."