A RAWTENSTALL market trader who died this year has been posthumously recognised by the National Market Traders Federation.

Great-grandma Dinah Hunt, 80, who ran a gift card and stationery stall on Rawtenstall Market for more than 54 years, died just days before she was due to receive the John Carter/Harry Cross Memorial Cup.

Rossendale Council’s neighbourhoods and communities portfolio holder Coun Helen Jackson hailed Dinah's contribution.

She said: “Dinah made a tremendous contribution to the market over 54 years but sadly missed out on receiving the award in person.

“The award would have been a great honour to her.”

The long-serving trader spent more than half a century running the stall after taking over from her mother-in-law in 1956.

Her husband Stuart, who continues to run Dinah's market stall, took receipt of the award, which is among the highest possible honours from the federation.

Dinah was nominated for the award by her stall-holders traders, and is the first Rawtenstall trader to receive the prestigious honour.

The John Carter Memorial Cup was introduced in 1988 in memory of John Carter, a well-known pitcher.

And the name of former president Harry Cross was added when he died in the mid-nineties.

Stuart was presented with the award during a special ceremony at Rawtenstall Market Cafe on Thursday.