Market traders have celebrated the start of their new contract by donating money to charity.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Swale, Cllr Steve Worrall and Therese Davies, were invited to Sheerness Market today where they were given a cheque for £250 by the traders for his charity fund.

Sheerness Market Traders’ Co-operative made a successful bid to take over its running and the new three-year contract begins on Thursday, March 31.

The co-operative was formed in June last year and had been running on a temporary contract.

Market manager Martin Lee said: “The co-operative is run for the benefit of the local community and we will be doing a lot more with the community and it’s nice to formally get the ball rolling.

“We are positive about the future – co-operatives are the way forward without a doubt.”

Mr Lee said there is a community pitch available on Saturdays which can be used by local groups and charities.

• To contact Mr Lee, email sheerness.market@o2.co.uk or phone him on 07521 730812.