WHEN I was a very small child, over 50 years ago, my weekly treat was a visit to York Market with my granddad. I loved the smells, the colours, the characters and the general hustle and bustle of the market.

I was fascinated by the gentlemen and ladies shouting out what was for sale and would always persuade granddad to buy me a treat.

I remember skinned rabbits were two shillings, fish was always fresh, and once you smelled lettuce and radishes you knew that spring had indeed sprung. So I am really upset to learn that a Mr Scaife has decided that everything on the market is "cheap tat" (Letters, May 3).

When I first set up home when I was married, my bedding, curtains, towels etc were bought at the market, and lasted longer than any shop-bought "tat".

I'm sure that many people my age remember the wonderful Dutch gentleman who wore huge yellow clogs whilst selling his flowers - the chap who would juggle with whole tea services whilst plying his trade, and the inimitable Gwen Preston who sold sweets, sweaters - you name it!

York people need this market, why should we have to travel on a Park & Ride bus to the outskirts of the city to buy pre-packed produce which may have been on the shelf for days, when we have fresh produce to hand right in the middle of our beautiful city.

If the market goes, the heart of the city goes.

Ella Hirst,

Coggan Close,

York.

Updated: 08:49 Monday, May 17, 2004