Fond memories of days spent rollerskating in the unlikely setting of a market hall have been brought back to life for one Northfleet great-grandmother.

Vera Marks contacted the Messenger after seeing our photograph of the historic Gravesend Borough Market building now empty of its stalls and partition walls.

Their removal has marked the start of Gravesham council’s £1.6 million lottery-funded regeneration project at the historic home of banter, bartering and bargains.

But it was the sight of the original flagstone-tiled floor that led to the 96-year-old recalling her days skating around there.

“It was a real experience and a challenge because it was over all those flagstones and it was so uneven,” said Mrs Marks, who lives in Laburnum Grove, Northfleet.

“I would have been about 15 or 16 and used to go on Monday evenings with friends, but sadly they have all passed away now.

“All the stallholders would have to clear everything out of the way, even the butchers. They used to put French chalk down and where people had been backwards and forwards over it, it would turn black.

“I would come home covered in black and have to go straight in the bath. Seeing the story in the Messenger has brought back some lovely memories.”

Mrs Marks said the market was an important part of Gravesend life, with no town centre visit complete without a browse around the indoor and outdoor stalls manned by colourful characters such as Sid Strong, better known as Strongey.

“It was a wonderful market years and years ago and would have people come down from London for it,” she added. “I bought a lot of stuff for my bottom drawer from there.”

Mrs Marks, who has one son, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, used to work at Featherstones department store in Parrock Street, Gravesend.

She believes it was the arrival of supermarket chains that led to the demise of many markets, and welcomes the plans to rejuvenate Gravesend’s historic landmark and support the smaller traders.

“When on holiday in the West Country you would see farmers’ markets with people selling homemade pickles and jams,” Mrs Marks recalled. “That was very nice and something I’d like to see again.”

Many of the stalls housed in the market have been relocated to the St George’s Shopping Centre while the refurbishment is carried out.