Popular Brierley Hill market stall holder retires after 71 years of work

Colin Downs, aged 86, lent the album to someone several years ago and and it has never been returned but he still holds out hope that one day he will be reunited with the book which holds many memories.

The market trader, who has become a popular character known to many people, has been selling ladies and gentlemen's underwear and nightclothes at Brierley Hill Indoor Market Hall since 1983 and before that ran a stall in the Rag Market in Birmingham.

Starting work at 15-years-old, Colin became a swimming pool attendant and lifesaving instructor and taught many children from local schools how to stay afloat during half-hour lessons at Rolfe Street Swimming Baths in Smethwick.

It was while working there there that he also acted as a steward at Timber Mill Baths which became a popular dance venue and attracted many people who were to go on to become stars.

Colin said: "I remember the Beatles coming and crowds of young girls shouting and this was before they became well known.

"I chatted to them and they told me they were playing at Rolfe Street, the Plaza at Old Hill and at West Bromwich in the same night.

"They were not really known then and they said they were hungry, so I went to get them fish-and-chips from across the road and they ate on the stage.

"During this time I got lots of autographs from people such as Sandie Shaw, Kathy Kirby, Spencer Davis, Susan Maughan and many others who came to perform.

"Susan Maughan was a local singer and at the time worked in an office in Birmingham and she was beginning to make a name for herself and we kept in touch for a long time.

"I met the Barron Knights, Tommy Cooper, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine and Victor Sylvester as well as many of the showmen wrestlers who used to appear on a Thursday night such as Bill Two Rivers, Joe Cornelias and many others.

"I never thought of it as going to work as I met so many different and interesting people

"Many signed my autograph album which I lent to someone but it was never returned and I would love to get it back."

Colin is now retiring from his market stall but has offered to act as a Saturday boy or stand-in for holidays for the new owner.

He said: "I have two daughters and Caroline lives in Stafford and Elizabeth runs holiday lets in Wales and Somerset so I am sure I will find lots to do and plan to travel a bit."