EASTLEIGH’S first town centre car boot sale came to an abrupt end after snow forced traders to pack up their pitches early.

However, despite the bitterly cold weather, traders were mostly happy with the event which saw a handful of stalls set up outside Leisure Bingo and in the market place precinct in Leigh Road.

It was a promising start for the new weekly car boot sale, which will run every week from 8am-1pm unless there is a major event in the town centre, with up to 70 vehicles able to take part.

This comes after the popular Bursledon market and car boot sale was closed last year to make way for 200 new homes.

The event will be run under the guidelines of the Real Deal Charter, a partnership between the Eastleigh Borough Council and Trading Standards, in a bid to prevent fake, illicit and dangerous goods being sold to shoppers.

Chris King from South Street, Eastleigh, said he came to “get rid of some stuff” and had been tending his stall from 8am.

He said: “I think it’s in a good location, and it was busy this morning.

“It will be good to come to when it’s established.

“I may come back as a buyer.”

Regular carbooter David Stables, from Southampton, said: “It’s not been too bad. Could have been warmer.

“I don’t think they have advertised it very well, though.

“If there had been signs up helping people to find it, it would have been better. “

Jeff Bourne from Southampton, who was selling items for his aunt, said: “It’s been bitterly cold. It took a little while to start, but did pick up eventually.

“It’s the first one I have been to that’s been run by the council.”

Fellow frozen trader Hannah Rumplee, from West End, who has sold at various car boot sales for the past year, said: “It’s been cold, but not too bad all morning. I don’t mind the cold, but because of the snow I’m abandoning it.”

Borough councillor Paul Bicknell previously said the car boot sale was “a really excellent idea” and that from what he had seen on social media there was a lot of public interest in it.

Volunteers from Eastleigh-based organisation One Community will also help run the event, raising money for local charities.

Head of voluntary sector support at One Community Julia Allan said: “This is a great opportunity for guaranteed fundraising for local charities, voluntary and community groups.”

The sale will return, weather permitting, from 9am to 1pm next Saturday.

Sellers will be asked to arrive from 8am – £10 for a small/ medium car and £15 for a large car, van or car with trailer.