THE legacy of an 'exceptional' father-of-three, well-known for his trademark smile, is set to live on in the workplace that he loved.

Justin Garstin, from Darlington, died suddenly last month aged just 44 after dedicating his life to the family business of repairing watches in the town’s Victorian Indoor Market.

Hundreds of Mr Garstin’s colleagues, friends and family members paid their respects to the trader at his funeral on Friday, August 19, before stallholders revealed a touching gesture to their co-worker.

A large display cabinet was donated by Mr Garstin’s mother, Christine Garstin, to house a matchstick model of Darlington’s market, with senior markets officer, Albert Nowicki, adding a poignant plaque the display.

Ms Garstin said: “Mr Nowicki had the plaque made as a surprise to me as I was a long term-trader before my son took over. I was in the market for many years and then I had to retire through ill health.

“Justin decided to take over as his three boys lived with him most of the time and the hours were perfect.

“He must have been well-liked because nearly 300 people attended his funeral. He was well-known for two things – being an extremely exceptional father, and his smile.

“Many of his customers told me how honest he was, many-a-time trying to fix their watches instead of having to put a new battery in, even though trade was struggling.

“If people were old or infirm, he would drop repairs off at their home. He died very suddenly and is a big miss in the market.”

The donated cabinet will stand as a new home for the delicate matchstick structure that had been displayed in a museum for many years before being neglected in the Indoor Market cellars until 2015.

The long-lasting tribute to Mr Garstin also marks a new chapter for the cherished Covered Market after £200,000 was recently granted by Darlington Borough Council to repair the venue.

The plaque, which will be available for traders and customers to view for years to come, reads: “This cabinet was donated by Christine Garstin in loving memory of her son Justin Garstin market trader 2006 – 2016.”