A TOUR around Darlington's markets these days offers precious few reminders of how it all began centuries ago.

The glorious traditions stretch back to 1293, when the first record of repairs done on the market building was made.

However, it was not until the 16th Century that Darlington really began to forge its reputation as a market town - a reputation that today's traders believe is struggling to keep up.

In 1577, a market cross was erected and, in those days, it was customary for two men to be based at each end of the town, collecting tolls from anyone wanting to ply their trade.

Those who failed to cough up had their wares seized and a ban on selling anywhere else in the town placed upon them.

In 1727, the original market cross was replaced by Dame Dorothy Brown, a relative of the then Bishop of Durham, with a cross of Roman design to represent peace and security.

The outdoor cattle and livestock market did a roaring trade and was held on a stretch of the town centre from Bondgate to High Row. Sheep and pigs were penned near St Cuthbert's Church.

The covered market which stands in the town centre officially opened for business at 7am on May 2, 1864.

Built at a cost of £16,356, 8s and 9d, the indoor market predominantly sold food.

Traders either provided their own stall or hired one, but the first public occasion at the market was marred by tragedy.

The floor gave way amid the hustle and bustle of the Northern County Fat Cattle Show, with visitors and animals plunging down into the basement.

One farmer and three animals were killed in an accident which was attributed to a faulty cast iron beam - and excessive weight being placed upon on the floor.

Stalls became a permanent fixture in 1920.

In 1938, the roll call of traders was astonishing, a tribute to the market's immense popularity.

Thirty-seven butchers, 35 fruit and vegetable stalls, 15 poultry dealers, seven sweet stalls, six florists, six grocers and six toy stalls were among the building's occupants.

The shops around the building were added in 1954, while the fruit and vegetable wholesalers, which operated beneath the market, remained until its last major refurbishment in 1979.

If today's traders feel the markets may be under threat, it would not be for the first time.

In 1935, the council of the day wanted it moved to Feethams and the present site replaced with gardens and open spaces.

And few will forget the controversy surrounding the Shepherd plan, a hated scheme drawn up in the late 1960s that proposed covering the Market Place with a concrete jungle.

The ruling Tory party signed a £2.5m contract with the Shepherd construction company, of York, only six days before the 1970 local election, to allow the plan to go ahead.

But Labour campaigned on an anti-Shepherd ticket, duly won the election and immediately pulled out of the deal.

Now, stallholders are again fearing for the future - and hoping that this long and illustrious market town story is not coming to an end.

* The Northern Echo will continue to look at the situation and the challenges now facing Darlington's market traders as part of a series of stories in the paper this week.