A STAGGERING 2.5 million people visit Bolton Market every year - some from as far afield as Staffordshire.

The market has acquired a reputation far and wide for its quality of fish, meat, fruit and vegetables on offer four days a week.

There are so many different market stalls it is possible to buy anything from a trout to trousers, any kind of fruit to a fridge, you can have your eyes tested or buy fish and chips, a pair of shoes, CDs, books, even party hats.

According to borough markets manager Raffaele Tuccillo coaches bring visitors on most market days. He said: "The coaches are coming from places like Chester, Stoke and Liverpool and visitors spend a long time here looking at what's on offer.

"Traders tell me they know when a coach party has arrived. The figures include Bolton shoppers as well but we know we are on a tourist route."

Market bosses and traders were bouyed up when they won the Best Food Outlet in last year's Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

And recently the market came second nationally in the indoor market section of the National Association of British Markets Authorities competition.

Raffaele said: "I know that a great many people love shopping in traditional markets and they will come a long way to shop here." At the moment he says the market appears to be on the up - traders have not seen the traditional dip in sales which normally follows the Christmas period.

He added that £170,000 worth of improvements are scheduled to take place in the miscellaneous section of the market and work should start around May.

Councillor Ebrahim Adia, Bolton Council's executive member for development, said: "After being voted Best Food and Drink Outlet in the 2006 Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Bolton Market already has a reputation as one of the region's best outlets for fresh fish and boasts a great variety of other local fresh produce."