Pictures capture the poignant final moments as an historic Darlington greengrocer closes after 150 years.
JJ Blair and Sons has stood at the heart of Darlington Market since 1875, passing through five generations of the same family.
The closure follows the death of long-standing owner Robin Blair, who died aged 81 in July after a short illness.
Colourful displays of fruit and vegetables which had greeted generations of shoppers for centuries were gradually cleared away as customers arrived for their last-minute spuds and to say goodbye to the staff on Friday (October 9) afternoon.
By around 3pm, the shutters were pulled down for the final time.
Pictures show staff member Christine Hanlon, 69, who has worked at the stall for 34 years, closing up for the last time.
Christine Hanlon closing the curtain for the last time.
Christine described the day as "very sad" and said it felt like "losing part of your family".
The Blair family also turned out to clear the stall, removing the remaining fruit and vegetables and taking down the signs which had become part of the historic market.
Empty spaces were left where a sea of brightly coloured produce had once stood, marking the end of the family's 150-year presence at the market.
JJ Blair and Sons
JJ Blair and Sons
Robin, the founder's grandson and Darlington's longest-serving market trader, had worked at the stall for more than 70 years.
And as the family said their final goodbye to the market stall, Robin's daughter Alison Williamson revealed her father had always believed he would one day return to work.
Robin's daughter Alison Williamson
She said: "Mr Blair always thought he was going to come back.
"He thought he was going to get well, and he was going to come back to work.
"That kept his spirits up, and we let him believe that right to the end."
Alison said the family had planned to close the market stall next year regardless of her father's death because of increasing costs.
She said: "The real reason, obviously, is that Mr Blair died. It would probably have gone next year anyway, and the reason is the rent, the rates, the utility bills, rises in wages, the decline of the market, the decline of the town centre and the footfall.
Staff at JJ Blair and Sons
JJ Blair and Sons
"It just wasn't working anymore.
"For us, it's sad, horrendous, and it's happened before we thought. It was on the cards, but that would have been next year."
The stall has closed, but Alison said the Blair family business will continue at the family’s nursery on Barmpton Lane.
Read more
Customers bid an emotional farewell as Darlington greengrocer closes after 150 years
End of an era as historic Darlington greengrocer closing TODAY after 150 years
Beloved Darlington grocer's widow pays tribute to him as historic stall closes
Robin’s death earlier this year prompted an outpouring of affection across the town.
Hundreds gathered in Darlington town centre to pay their respects when his funeral cortege stopped outside the market where he spent most of his life.
Former colleagues called Mr Blair the "backbone" of the market, while council deputy leader Chris McEwan described him as "an institution for Darlington".