Sunday Market and Car boot

I've never really been much of a salesperson. Or an early riser, for that matter. So if I'm completely honest, the prospect of getting out of bed at 5am on a Sunday to go car-booting didn't exactly excite me.

Del Boy I am not. I'm not even a Rodney. But, with a mounting collection of unwanted nicknacks, a financial deficit and an urge to try something new, I recruited a reluctant boyfriend and headed to Manchester's biggest car boot sale to peddle my wares.

New Smithfield Market in Openshaw - just five minutes out of the city centre - is a sprawling, bustling wholesale market that, on a Sunday morning springs to life with traders and buyers alike selling and shopping for everything from TVs to trainers, and fruit 'n' veg to furniture. It's a bargain-hunter's paradise, with competitive traders jostling for business and savvy shoppers bartering for low prices.

There's a great mix of established, professional traders selling factory-fresh goods, and a scattering of car-booters, second hand goods and specialist hand-made items. There really is something for everyone here, with an exhaustive - and exhausting - selection of market stalls.

After arriving at 5.45am and waiting our turn in a queue of cars and endless white vans, we were approached by the friendly staff and given the option of an indoor or outdoor pitch. With the skies turning increasingly grey we opted for indoors - where we parked the car between a stall selling rugs, and one selling industrial uniforms.

It all felt a little intimidatingly professional to begin with, and hazy childhood memories of selling records for 50p at a country car boot sale went out of the window.

But as we soon realised, pitching up amidst 'professional' market traders definitely had its benefits. Yes, our little table of bric-a-brac may well have been dwarfed by the neighbouring stalls selling clothing, homeware, furniture and electrical equipment - but we benefited greatly from their footfall, and enjoyed a steady stream of custom throughout the morning - with purposeful shoppers in the mood for spending, not browsing.

With our first £1.50 made before we'd even finished getting things out of the car, we were feeling positive. A pair of plastic mugs, if you were wondering. And then a birthday cake decoration, £1. A DVD, £3. A pair of binoculars, a tenner. A flat cap, £3. The sales were rolling, and it was becoming increasingly evident that one man's tat is most definitely another man's treasure.

And what's more - we were enjoying it.

After a couple of hours, we'd made nearly a hundred pounds - and a few new friends. Despite some friendly banter from the neighbouring stall holder, who boasted that "I'd have had all that shifted within half an hour - and the car", we were feeling good about our efforts and celebrated with bacon rolls.

An hour or so later - with most of our stock sold - we were £120 up, and decided to call it a day and pack up the items that were clearly not going to sell. Apparently, sometimes one man's tat is another man's... tat. But we were happy, and went home with a bursting wallet and a great sense of satisfaction. And as the boyfriend helpfully reminded me, all that I normally would have achieved by midday on a Sunday is a stinking hangover.

After a great morning at New Smithfield Market, I'm definitely a car-boot convert. And in these times of high unemployment and financial uncertainty, it's a brilliant - and enjoyable - way to make a bit of extra tax-free cash.

I'll certainly be back.

Anyone can sell at the car boot sale - and you don't need to book ahead. Pitches cost £32.50 and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so all you need to do is arrive before 6am and wait your turn. The market opens to the public at 7am, so that gives you an hour to set up shop before the hordes arrive.

Tips for carbooters:

- Smile and enjoy yourself.

Sunday Market and Carboot, New Smithfield Wholesale Market, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw.

Traders: 6am - 2pm
Customers: 7am - 2pm