CIVIC day (June 22) was marked on Altrincham Market by the hanging of a print of one of the town’s great characters.

A painting by artist Alan Hawkins of Market Dave - real name Dave O’Kell - was given pride of place on the market at a ceremony on Saturday.

This came more than five years after the scrap collector was found unconscious with a head injury after he was attacked n Huxley Street, Broadheath, in 2008.

Dave now lives in a nursing home.

Years ago, Alan painted the picture at his Altrincham studio. Alan is from a fourth generation Altrincham family and has painted for 40 years.

The original painting was on display recently at a Local Creation exhibition in the town and stirred up great interest.

It was decided that it would be ideal to give the picture a home most suitably on the market which has strong connections with Dave.

Civic Day was chosen as an ideal day where focus is given on communities. A small ceremony took place with Alan Hawkins, Dave's brother Vincent and sister Valerie (Dave is one of nine children ), the provost of Altrincham Court Leet, Mr Bryn Mallion; the president of the Altrincham and Sale Chamber of trade and commerce, Mrs Susan Aldridge; members of Hale Civic Society and market traders.