THIS week I took my partner and her friend to Stockton to visit a material shop as they are both quilting fanatics.

Leaving them in the shop to swoon over all those different patterns I ventured on to the high street.

Over the years I have read many bad reports of empty shops but was delighted to find a busy atmosphere and a large market.

After the material was bought we went for a meal and walked around the shops and I searched the flea market.

My partner is eager to go again and, as a pensioner who still converts prices back to old money and can remember beer at 10 old pence a pint, I was amazed that the Castlegate Centre only charged me £1 for parking.

Tom Cooper, Durham City.