THE farmers' market in Okehampton is going from strength to strength and will open in a new venue on every first Saturday of each month.

The market vendors will open their stalls at the Okey Market, opposite Waitrose and Lidl, starting this Saturday, July 7.

The new venture is in addition to the market's regular venue every third Saturday of the month outside St James Chapel on Fore Street.

The aim is to encourage more customers and stallholders to the market, and build up the critical mass and choice of quality locally-produced goods for shoppers in Okehampton.

Farmers' market treasurer Jim White said: 'Local farmers' markets can contribute so much to the local economy.

'Our stallholders work really hard to bring genuine locally grown and crafted products to people and help to ensure that the pound spent locally remains for circulation within the community, rather than being siphoned off by large national and multi-national retain chains beyond Okehampton.'

Farmers' market chairman Pete Down said: 'We're delighted to have this opportunity to expand our market and make local produce available to customers in Okehampton more regularly through the month.

'Our thanks go to Mike Harding, proprietor for Okey Market, for making the space available to us.'

Stallholder Martin Godfrey pointed out the benefits for customers: 'For us, healthy food production is an essential part of life. When you live and work to produce food on your own doorstep for yourselves and the people around you, you can't afford to take shortcuts.

'Maintaining the quality of the food, the land and biodiversity in which it is grown and the relationships with the people who buy your product is more than just a lifestyle choice, it's essential for living sustainably.

'The opportunity to bring fresh produce to customers at Okehampton Farmers' Market is an important part of this and we are delighted to be able to do this on a more regular basis with our fellow stallholders.'

As part of the expansion of trading hours, the farmers' market is eager to find new producers of locally grown and crafted goods to join the market.

Mr White said: 'Okehampton Farmers' Market can provide that first vital step for people starting up new businesses to sell local products direct to the customer.

'We have the success stories of previous stallholders developing their businesses through the market to the extent that they have expanded their business within the town by opening up a shop, or offering outside catering for events, making their produce available to a wider and more frequent customer base.'

For further details, call Sara Melandro and Martin Godfrey on 01837 658672, or by visiting http://www.okehamptonfarmersmarket.co.uk">www.okehamptonfarmersmarket.co.uk