A TEAM of North-East market traders are reading The Northern Echo to boost their general knowledge for a TV quiz show.

Seven traders from Stanley Indoor Market, in the Clifford Centre, Stanley, County Durham, are taking part in a Christmas special of the BBC programme Test the Nation.

Market manager Michael Smith, who also runs the market's Santa's grotto, said: "They told us the questions will be general knowledge, all about things that happened in 2004, so we have been reading the local Press to buff up."

They will be part of a team of 40 market traders, who will compete against six celebrities and teams of doctors, teachers, solicitors, accountants and jockeys.

Mr Smith said: "The BBC ran an advert in a trade magazine looking for people to apply. We didn't do anything about it but, in the end, they contacted us."

The Stanley team also includes Mr Smith's wife, Seineade, of Ace Values make-up, husband and wife Joe and Alison Keeler, who run the Media Mart computer stall and mobile phone outlet Phone Zone, hairdresser Tracey Proctor and nail technician Kim Smith, of Clean Cutz, and Lee Stratton, of Stanley Angling Supplies.

The show, which is presented by Philip Schofield and Anne Robinson, will be broadcast live on BBC1 on Sunday, December 19.

Mr Smith said: "We are not frightened of Anne Robinson at all. I have been a market trader for 18 years, so I have dealt with a lot worse."

Published: 06/12/2004