ED FOSS North Walsham is the latest town where food, plants and other goods can be bought direct from local producers.

ED FOSS

Another Norfolk town has joined the growing list of communities offering farmers' markets.

North Walsham is the latest town where food, plants and other goods can be bought direct from local producers.

A deal has been finalised between the town council and a group which already runs the nearby Stalham farmers' market.

The market at Stalham, held in the town hall, is an established part of the Norfolk farmers' market circuit, which features towns such as Aylsham, Dereham, Diss, Beccles and Fakenham.

The added bonus at North Walsham is that the market will, in part, replace the town's Women's Institute market, which closed late last year amid accusations it was being strangled by red tape.

Although the new market will initially be held monthly, it could expand its dates – and the same opportunities to natter and have a hot drink will be back on the menu.

The group behind the venture, to be held in St Benets Hall on the second Friday of every month, said it was looking forward to the new enterprise.

Sue Andrews, one of the organisers and a seller of an unusual combination of salad leaves, mushrooms and artist's charcoal, said: "The point of the market is to be as local as possible, to be an outlet for producers who live in the immediate area, within just a few miles.

"We can hit the ground running at North Walsham because of our previous experience at Stalham."

The new market looks set to be bigger than Stalham, simply because of the size of the respective halls. While Stalham can hold up to 18 stalls, the new venue will probably be able to take 25.

The first market will be on March 11 from 9am to noon.

Organisers said they were keen to hear from new stallholders.

For more information, call 01692 670992.