A farmers' market is set to take advantage of consumer demand for naturally-produced food.

Produce including pork, plants, potatoes and pears will be up for sale when Witham stages its first such market next month.

The long-awaited launch will take place in The Grove Shopping Centre between 9.30am and 2pm on September 14. It will be held on the second Tuesday of every month.

A similar scheme was launched in Colchester last month. It now boasts around 30 traders, largely selling organic produce, and has proved a huge hit with shoppers.

Recent scares such as GM foods and British beef have made these outlets more popular.

Under the scheme stallholders will be able to sell food and goods fresh from the farm. Paul Ryland, chairman of Witham Strategy Group, said: "In the current climate of demand for naturally produced products, applications have been received from local producers of meats, potatoes, vegetables, dairy products, apples and pears.

"One producer is so enthusiastic he will bring his little piggy to market, roast it and enable buyers to sample his delicious home-grown pork before buying their take home supply."

The market will be separate to the town's Saturday market currently operated by Braintree Council. It will run on a trial basis until Christmas before a decision is made over the viability of the scheme.

Wendy Harlow, manager of The Grove Centre, will be responsible for checking applications for stalls to ensure they are genuine producers.

"It's amazing how much national interest there is in farmers' markets at the moment," she said. "We have very high hopes for the one in Witham and everything is coming together well at the moment."

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