A new farmers' market came to life on Easter Sunday when the Pensthorpe nature reserve held its first local produce market.

The event, which attracted more than a dozen stallholders, is due to take place between 10am and 2pm on the second Sunday of every month until December.

Organiser Donna Walpole, who runs Donna's Finest Scones in Fulmodestone, said: 'It's about promoting all the local produce in Norfolk. Food always tastes better when you know the source and it gives local producers a chance to show their goods.'

Customers were a mix of people who came specifically for the market, and Bank Holiday weekend visitors to the reserve who were tempted to buy something on the spur of the moment.

Sarah Pettegree, of Bray's Cottage Pork Pies in Holt, said: 'We make the pork pies just up the road so it's very much on our patch. I think it's great Pensthorpe are getting involved in doing something like this.

'Pensthorpe is not just a reserve, it's a farm as well. It's a beautiful setting and it's a great offering for people who can come here, do some shopping and then look at the birds.'

Stuart Wright, who was visiting from Thetford, said: 'It's a nice addition to the offer at Pensthorpe. We didn't know it was on, and it was a pleasant surprise and I have my eye on a pork pie for lunch.'

Many families were also attracted by an Easter trail around the reserve.

Joe Allen, six, who visited with his parents and sister Emily, four, said: 'We are on the trail. The best thing was feeding the animals. We fed birds – water birds and land birds. I did the egg and spoon race because I wanted to win,'

His father Peter said he was impressed with the variety offered by the market.