HERE’S the former open-air market space in Darwen.

It was a wooden-roofed open-sided structure under which traders later gathered when they abandoned their more flimsy stalls, some of which are seen without their canvas awnings in this turn-of-the-century view which also features a swing-boat ride.

The town’s three-day market went indoors when a new covered complex opened on the square in 1975.

After much debate, the three-day market closed its doors in November 2016.

Fourteen of the three-day traders moved over to the six-day building while the other three retired.

The site was then revamped as an open space in May last year and has become the site for town centre festivals and events.

It has a copper pere-grine falcon, a nod towards the birds which are known to nest in the town’s India Mill.