Salad queen Serpil is crowned Islington's Market Trader of the Year 2009

A salad stall holder who works in all weathers to bring fresh food to her customers has been named Islington's Market Trader of the Year 2009.

Serpil Erce has run Sunny's Olive Tree stall at Whitecross Street market for two years, working Monday to Friday from February to December.

Loyal customers come from as far as Liverpool Street and Moorgate in the City, and suggested her for Islington Council's Market Trader of the Year contest.

Against stiff competition, she impressed a council judging panel to take the title, only the second ever awarded.

On a busy day Serpil and her team serve up more than 200 salad boxes. She starts work in Whitecross Street at about 7am, but even before then has spent many hours preparing 14 types of fresh salad, with everything from carrot to coriander.

She says she wouldn't sell anything she wouldn't eat herself - and all her salad is made fresh for each day, rather than leftovers from the day before. The only additives are olive oil, lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt.

"It's a friendly atmosphere - everyone likes each other," she says of Whitecross Street. "It's a really good market."

"It's hard work - but it's good to work for yourself. It is lovely to work spring to autumn, very nice being outside, I would recommend it.

"The only hard time is the winter, but we are here Monday to Friday, no matter the weather - unless it's very, very bad and we don't think the marquee will survive!"

In all, 249 customers nominated 21 traders for Market Trader of the Year, which was open to all Islington Council's pitches - such as those at Whitecross Street, Chapel Market, Exmouth Market and Archway. Four were shortlisted.

Cllr Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Deputy Leader, was on the judging panel and said: "There were a lot of very good entries and Serpil was a worthy winner.

"She's a shining example of the market traders who turn out to serve the public day in, day out, come rain or sun.

"We're very proud of all Islington's markets and committed to helping them go from strength to strength."

To Serpil, who wins £300 of free trading as well as the title, each customer is special.

"Every single customer is very important, every single one of them," she said.

"If they weren't here I wouldn't be here, the market wouldn't be here.

As well as quality food, she puts great store in service with a smile.

"To me they come here because they get friendly service - they don't want to see miserable faces.