A GROWING indoor market has extended its opening hours to help Christmas shoppers find a last-minute bargain.

Stalls at Richmond indoor market will open for business every day this week, including Christmas Eve, when the Market Hall will stay open until late.

Six stalls, specialising in African jewellery, ladies' fashions, wildlife prints, CDs, cards and electrical equipment, have recently joined the market.

Dave Patterson, from Darlington, has started selling second-hand computers, televisions and accessories after being made redundant from a warehouse job.

"Richmond is a very friendly place to trade and there is a lot of comradeship between traders," he said.

Jenny Hargreaves, whose new stall sells African jewellery, said: "I am used to working from home so it is nice to get out and meet people."

Councillor John Robinson, chairman of Richmond Town Council's resources committee, which is responsible for the running of Richmond's markets, is delighted by the latest expansion.

He said: "The indoor market is always a warm and friendly place, but it has a special atmosphere at this time of year.

"The hall itself, which dates from the early Victorian era, is festooned with decorations and there is plenty of opportunity for shoppers to pick up those last-minute presents or buy fresh seasonal produce."

The indoor market is open from 8am to 3pm until Christmas Eve, when it stays open until 8pm. It will also be open from December 28 to 31.