HUDDERSFIELD Open Market is to be revamped.

The Brook Street site - which despite its name is covered - has been a bustling trading hub in town since the Victorian era.

Now, it is getting an overhaul to bring it back to its former glory.

Drainage systems are being improved, resurfacing work is to be carried out and the roof will be repaired.

A new food court with cafes and new food stalls is to be built.

All the new developments will be in keeping with the market's Victorian heritage.

Clr Andrew Pinnock, Kirklees cabinet member for economic development, said: "This work reflects the council's commitment to markets, which recognises their important to the communities they serve - particularly in providing the opportunity to buy fresh, local foods and being a social focal point."

Forty stalls in markets at Batley, Heckmondwike and Birstall have already undergone £20,000 worth of improvements.

This included new aluminium stalls, and bright blue and yellow custom-made covers for the stalls.

Dewsbury market - the largest open market in Yorkshire - is also set to benefit from a revamp under the council's scheme.

All the stall facades will be improved and the interior of the covered market will be fully redecorated.

A new fire alarm system will be installed and the building is to be rewired.

The council is trying to promote Dewsbury market as a day trip destination.

Kirklees markets workers gave away 1,000 sticks of promotional rock at their stand at the Great Days Out Fair in Bolton on March 4.

The rock came from the town's Dewsbury On Sea event, which is held every August Bank Holiday.

Twelve tonnes of sand are brought into Dewsbury to create a beach alongside the market.

Traditional seaside activities - such as donkey rides - and put on and a pier is built so that the event's 4,000 visitors can take `seaside' strolls.

As well as Dewsbury On Sea, the market is famed for its tripe stall.

The market's 350 stands also attract coachloads of shoppers each Wednesday and Saturday.

Operations manager Chris Cotton said: "The popularity of markets as a destination for a day out is growing as people now see shopping as a leisure activity.

"This can only increase as the demand for genuinely fresh and local food increases."