Swadlincote Market organisers say its re-opening has gone to plan - even though wet weather kept some traders away.

The market returned in as near as usual form as possible on Friday and Saturday - but with safety restrictions in place.

But it is hoped the offer of free rental for traders this month will see it grow in the coming weeks.

Market manager and organiser Simon Wardle said there was a police and council presence making sure there were no problems.

And he says South Derbyshire District Council has been a huge help in trying to get the town's traders back on its feet again.

"Because it was raining at set up time on Friday, a lot of the traders didn't turn up," Simon told Swadlincote Nub News.

"But it all went to plan, it was spot on, all the social distancing measures were in place.

"BBC East Midlands came down too to have a talk about the market.

"But we have had three stalls there, selling essentials throughout.

"I've done a deal with the district council, they're not charging me for now and in the meantime I've agreed not to charge the traders. That's guaranteed until the end of June and we'll review it after that, the council's been very supportive.

"I had a good idea of what was needed. There was a big police presence all day the council's environmental health offers came round. Economic Development had a look round too and everyone was quite pleased."

Simon says there was a big response from shoppers.

But he says there were no issues with social distancing measures.

He added: "We've got floor stickers down so and areas chalked out.

"If anything had gone wrong it'd be all over Facebook and I didn't see any of that! So I was quite pleased.

"The market was running today (Saturday), then Tuesday, Friday, Saturday with fruit and veg on Wednesday."

But Simon says that it could be next week before they get a better idea of how things will work out.

He added: "If there's better weather then we'll know more with more traders coming in.

"But there are no worries so far, we're using the big open spaces at The Delph and the bit down by Poundstretcher"