Farmers' market lined up for prize

A Shropshire market launched by local farmers and environmental campaigners is in line to be named the best in the Midlands.

Ludlow Farmers' Market will learn later this month whether it has won the coveted title from Country Life Magazine.

The market was nominated by Ludlow's former Michelin-starred chef Shaun Hill who owned the Merchant House restaurant.

Sally Page, spokeswoman for the Country Life Farmers' Market Campaign, said: "It was launched to raise awareness of the importance of markets to local communities and the world of food at large."

She said the country was split into six regions, with three farmers' markets shortlisted for each region.

Mrs Page said that Country Life had received record votes from the public and the regional winners would be announced in the November 23 issue of the magazine. The overall winner would be decided by the expert panel of judges and announced on November 30.

Today Peter Norman, organiser of Ludlow's Farmers' Market, said he was delighted it had been nominated. He said: "We launched in July 2000 and have been growing ever since. On November 9 we'll have our biggest ever market with 49 stalls.

"It's nice to be nominated but we don't expect to win. It's all being done on the basis of postcards filled in by shoppers."