THE “best little market in the country” needs someone special to see it through its busiest time of the year.

And that someone could be in place as soon as next week.

It’s been a year since Ludlow market was named best small town market in the country and its still doing a roaring trade.

But with Christmas coming the market needs the manager its been without for over a month.

Deputy town clerk Gina Wilding said that the role of market manager was one of town’s key positions and it was hoped that an appointment could be confirmed early next week.

More than 40 traders sell from the seasonal market on the Fridays and Saturdays, the busiest days of the week.

Monday and Wednesday markets are quieter but income and trader numbers have held up well.

In the spirit of the season, Ludlow Town Council is offering a discount to traders taking part in the Tinsel Tuesday markets that will be held on the first three Tuesdays in December.

Ludlow Chamber of Trade is staging these gift markets as an alternative to late night opening that didn’t find a strong enough customer base.

There are also specialist markets on Thursdays and Sundays including local produce markets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.