Every Wednesday and Saturday hundreds of traders come to set up their stalls on one of the biggest markets in the region.

Derek O'Loughlin runs Big is Beautiful, a stall specialising in size 16-38 clothing for women of all ages.

He set up shop in Dewsbury Market 12 years ago because "it's the best market around."

He said: "If you're looking for something, you'll get it here. There's so much variety and it's good quality as well.

"This is the place to come, especially with the credit crunch, because you get value for money. There's a great atmosphere too."

Trader John Ives has been selling household fabrics, curtains, bedding and towels on the market for 27 years.

He said: "Dewsbury's got a good reputation as a full market two days a week.

"A lot of markets when they start opening five or six days a week, all they're doing is diluting it.

"Some people associate markets with having cheaper goods but it's not right.

"It's good value for money. People should come and look and explore that."

Jewellery stall owner Jayne Senior, who lives in Dewsbury, said it was a great place to find something different that you might not find elsewhere.

"Everybody that comes to the stall is always very complimentary," she said.

"I try and sell things that are different to what other people sell and try to keep the prices as reasonable as possible.

"People like to come back here because they know each time they come there will be something different."

Glen Riding, 43, has worked on the market for Cross's butchers since he was 16.

He said the loyalty of Dewsbury shoppers had helped the market and its many family businesses to thrive.

He said: "Cross's has been here for well over 100 years.

"It's the service and the quality of the produce.

"We've got a lot of customers who've come to the stall for years. They come every week.

"The loyalty of the Dewsbury public is just unbelievable."