CROWNGATE has celebrated the star-studded opening of Blackfriars market and shopping centre as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

Comedian Ken Dodd launched Blackfriars in 1969, while famed entertainer Bob Monkhouse specifically opened the PriceRite store.

The precinct was later developed into Worcester's Crowngate Friary Walk shopping area.

Local resident David Barlow was one of many readers to share their memories of Blackfriars.

He said: "In 1969 I was working in marketing for Cadbury Cakes, which had its head office - as well as its main bakery - at Blackpole.

"[I] have a strong memory of the sales department, which wished to create a good impression with PriceRite, hiring Bob Monkhouse to open the new PriceRite on Blackfriars' opening day.

"A fee of £1,500 is a figure which sticks in my mind. It was more than I earned in a year!"

Richard Morris wrote on Facebook: "My first ever real memory of Worcester was watching the bulldozers and wrecking balls take down Blackfriars as a small child."

Pat Lewis added that she worked in Blackfriars' Safeway in the 1980s until it closed for the redevelopment.

Helen Heaume said: "I remember my mum Alison Heaume buying her tights from the lady at the denim stall. And I remember buying a bag of Sindy accessories for 99p from the toy stand in the middle! Great memories."

Tina Stevens wrote on Facebook: "I used to work on the China stall with Vic and then in the cafe with Flo.

"There was Paul on the record stall, the Chowdry family had clothes stalls, Asha had sweet stall, Kim had the fabrics stall, Dot had the handbag stall. There was an accessory stall and I think a butcher. Many fond memories."

Paul Harding remembered the archaeological dig which preceded the construction of Crowngate.

He said: "This dig was a huge influence on me as a child. It's probably the biggest reason for why I'm now running Discover History.

"I was the regular visitor who got to know the likes of James Dinn [Worcester City Council's archaeological officer] and the late Charles Mundy [the former archaeological officer]."

Another reader wrote on Facebook: "My mother took me as a child for the opening. Ken Dodd opened it!

"When I got older I went up there to buy my tartan for the Bay City Rollers era. Anyway, my therapy is bringing it out into the open. I loved Blackfriars."