THE Queen's golden jubilee celebrations will also mark an important event for a market initiative which is celebrating a relaunch after 50 years of service.

The Customer Charter was launched in Darlington in 1952 to ensure market traders operate to high standards.

The charter also aims to give customers confidence when buying goods from market stalls, and all traders enter an agreement when they sign up.

Traders can display a certificate, but they must adhere to the charter's rules.

They must be courteous at all times, keep their stalls clean and tidy, deal with complaints promptly and in a businesslike manner, and ensure goods are correctly described and priced.

The charter has been developed by Darlington Borough Council's markets section, which has produced a leaflet explaining the initiative and the rights of shoppers.

A copy of the leaflet is available from all chartered market stalls.

Councillor Stephen Harker, Darlington council's cabinet member for public protection, said: "This is a positive step by both the council and the market traders aimed at inspiring shoppers' confidence in the markets.

The charter aims to give market shoppers information about their rights and how to take action to deal with problems.

The charter will help attract shoppers who may not normally use the market because of fears that their rights are not the same as when shopping in other high street shops."

The council's market section has also produced a golden jubilee brochure celebrating 50 years of market service in Darlington.