Honiton: Market Superintendent has high hopes for the town's weekly market

Honiton's Market Superintendent, Lee Leppington (aged 55) is a former Royal Marine Commando who moved to Honiton from Portsmouth after he and his wife Pam decided they wanted a quieter life in Devon.

Lee told Nub News: "We really liked the look and idea of Honiton so we drove down for a day to have a look around and instantly felt this was a place that we could settle and call home."

Once settled in Honiton, Lee and Pam were regular customers at the weekly market and were getting to know the traders. Someone suggested he should apply for the job of Market Superintendent, which he did.

Just eight weeks after moving to Honiton, Lee was managing the town's traders, promoting and growing the market and working with the town council to organise Honiton Charter Day.

Lee said: "I think it's fair to say that it's a challenging job and I am never short of things to do. Which include managing the market's day to day operation, liaising with the Town Council current and future Traders, the public and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone whist out on the market."

"Honiton has a very proud 800-year-old tradition of hosting a Street Market and it's my intention that even in these troubling times, with the continued dedication of its traders and the support of the public and people of Honiton in visiting it, the market will continue to thrive now and long into the future."

His plans for the market are to improve its look and increase the number and variety of stalls, with a particular focus on traders from Honiton itself and nearby areas.

He would also like to run themed town events, with music, food and entertainment, which will hopefully attract visitors from around Devon and beyond.

When asked how he finds the community in Honiton, he said: "We really have been blown away by the friendliness, warmth and kindness shown to us by the people in this town and the general feel of community."