A HOST of stalls and attractions greeted the crowds as Wem Spring Market celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The Town Hall, Senior Club and Baptist Church Welcomed visitors on Saturday,

Sheelagh Richardson, of organisers Wem Combine Harvesters said that they were pleased with the event, but added that numbers “tailed off significantly” at the end of the day.

She added: “The volunteers who were moving between the three market sites noted that the car park was busy but way below the usual number of cars. Their explanation was that people were coming in, buying one hour of parking time, zooming around the Co-op and then hitting the market in the time that was left on their ticket.

“The 60 per cent increase in parking charges is having its effect on not just the High Street.”

But she added that some traders were very happy, with Little Fudge Box, the Sofia’s Portuguese Brigadeiros (all the way from Whitchurch), hand-made soap (Khandala), Helen’s Handmade Cards, Fledgling’s Jewellery, preserves and vegetables proved very popular.”

First prize in the raffle went to Helen Godfrey, of Whixall, with John Hands, of Wem, in second.

Both prizes were Co-op Food Hampers from the Wem store.