Crowds flocked to an airport near Bridgnorth for the revival of a traditional Saturday market following its closure three years ago.

Wolverhampton Airport at Halfpenny Green, Bobbington, held its first market since 2006 on Saturday. It featured chalets and a marquee with crafts, antiques and a range of collectibles. Many customers said that they were bargain-hunting because of the recession.

Stallholders said they wanted to see the market succeed for the long-term and gave it an early thumbs-up.

The site hosted a hugely popular market for 28 years, but it was shut down by airport bosses in 2002 and then again in 2006, in between a mini-resurrection, amid complaints from residents about traffic.

But LSD promotions, a firm which runs markets on behalf of councils and private developers, agreed to get the site up and running again and booked in more than 150 traders for the relaunch.

The market featured almost everything – from clothing, local farm produce, bric-a-brac and meat to kids toys, fish, birthday cards, perfume and even car washing.

Mike Ottley, who runs Mark Copper Quality Meats, was among the stallholders who were at the market’s reopening event on Saturday.

He said: “We saw an advert for this market and as we’d never been before, we thought why not give it a try this time round.

“We can’t expect better than this on the first day – the turnout seems pretty decent and I’m optimistic that it will end up a success.”

Fellow trader Marcel Hammon, 33, of Flint, North Wales, was selling children’s toys and make-up

Mr Hammon said: “I’ve never been here before either so I thought I’d give it a try.”

Gurdip Dhillon, 27, from Solihull, who was selling T-shirts and ladies’ clothing, said: “I operate at the Bescot Market in Walsall and I’ve got a day job in IT.

“I’m going to give this place a really good go.”

Customer John Haywood, 66, of Bearwood, said: “I used to come all the time when it was open before, it was a brilliant market.”

The market runs every Saturday, from 9am to 4pm, with parking provided on site.