Former EastEnders star Todd Carty took a trip down memory lane yesterday as he helped flogged fruit and veg in King's Lynn.

The 49-year-old visited the Seekings' stall on Lynn's Tuesday Market Place in a bid to help West Norfolk Council encourage new businesses to join the town market. Carty, who played Mark Fowler in the BBC soap and ran a fruit and veg stall outside the Queen Vic, is also starring in the town's pantomime Aladdin, which opens at the Corn Exchange on December 7.

The former Dancing on Ice star said: 'Even though it was a stall in a drama, the fruit and veg was real and I did have a bit of a flashback seeing all the spuds and toms.

'This stall, however, is seven times bigger than the one in Eastenders and there is a lot more exotic fruit and veg than I ever had.'

He continued: 'It's great that this square is still being used by market traders because I think it's important markets keep going. Shopping habits might have changed with the internet but many market stalls still have loyal customers who want fresh produce they can feel and choose – not something that's already been packaged or frozen.'

Anthony Seekings, who runs the fruit and veg stall, added: 'It was nice he came along to our stall and glad he was impressed with what we have on offer.'

Carty has this week joined the rest of the cast of this year's pantomime, where he has the role of the evil Abanazaar, in starting rehearsals.

'We'll be working around the clock to get everything right for the good people of King's Lynn and surrounding areas,' continued Carty, who will also be switching on Lynn's Christmas lights tomorrow night.

'I'm going to be living in King's Lynn for the next five weeks and, so far, I think it's a lovely town and the people have been very friendly.

'They smile and come up and say hello which is completely different to London where nobody talks to each other.'

With the Queen set to arrive in Norfolk for her annual Christmas break next month, he added: 'I'm sure when the Queen arrives at Sandringham we can sort out a couple of complimentary tickets for her.'

Carty's first major TV role was playing the lead of Tucker in BBC TV's Grange Hill before going on to Eastenders.

He then went on to play the role of PC Gabriel Kent in ITV's The Bill and starred as Patsy in the UK tour of the stage show Spamalot.

West Norfolk Council has been encouraging would-be market traders to try out their business ideas by taking a market stall for free.

The council's Test the Market promotions sees free stalls available for the first week of every month for potential businesses to try.

Regular traders also have free pitches at the same time.

Anyone who would like to take up a free stall on the Lynn markets on Tuesday, December 4, Friday, December 7, or Saturday, December 8, or Hunstanton's Sunday, December 10 market should call 01553 616222 or email markets@west-norfolk.gov.uk