INDEPENDENT traders in Worcester's Hopmarket have celebrated 25 years of business.

Hair salon Express Cuts, shoe shop Toes and the Leather Shop first opened in the shopping centre, near the Cross, in 1981 - the same year Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest, Pope John Paul II was shot, and Diana Spencer married Prince Charles.

Maria Musio, owner of Express Cuts - previously known as Three Ms - said: "It's so nice to see the three of us still going.

"A lot has changed but we have got loyal customers. I've got one who is 92-years-old.

"More and more effort and attention has been paid to the Hopmarket over the years. It's a lovely little area with the water fountain, cafe and benches.

"I just feel lucky to still be here after all these years and we would like to say happy new year to all our clients, past and present."

All the shops in the Hopmarket are independent and the offer a wide-range of niche services, from Chinese medicine to old fashioned sweets The Leather Shop, owned by Nigel Hartwright, specialises in travel bags, clothes and Australian hats for men and women. Toes, the shoe shop, is owned by Stuart Mclean.

The Hopmarket has been a bustling shopping area for more than 350 years.

Originally used for the city's ancient hop, cheese and street fair, residents would travel to the square from far and wide to buy local produce and livestock. Relative newcomer Clare Bridge runs Secondhand Rose, a vintage boutique.

She said although the Hop- market is a traditional area there is always something new to see.

"There's a nice mix of new and established businesses and as a young business owner it's good to have the long-standing traders around to ask advice," she said.

"We are all very supportive of each other."